Tales of many churches

I do believe that "the Church is one foundation", but with the different denominations available today, the assertion mentioned above seems to have lost its meaning. This certainly isn't the case with the churches in Southern India, because every church of every kind has it's loyal adherents.

In the few places I've visited here in England, the case is quite different. Many of the churches here are already dead or dying, some have been abandoned, some others have metamorphosed into places of worship

for other world religions, while a few have been transformed into recreation centres.

I don't claim to be an expert on the rise and fall of religion in the modern world, but here, in Northampton, Nottingham and the surrounding areas, the signs are clearly visible.

Determined to attend a church service last Sunday, I found myself at St Luke's, in Northampton. The church is surrounded by graves, including a memorial to the soldiers lost in World War 1. And that was that--no service, no people, nothing, nothing else.

We drove to St Andrews Methodist church, but met with the same disappointment--they were closed for the holidays! Nearby I discovered the Church of the Latter Day Saints, and though I was 45 minutes late, I was warmly welcome. It was my first visit to a church of this kind, and it was refreshingly different.

Earlier this week, at Market Harborough, I stepped into history when I joyfully entered St Dionysius' Church, right in the centre of the town. Beautiful interiors, a notice board listing all the priests who served ( from the 16th century to the present day ), and still alive and well. I really felt blessed to be there. And to think that right up to that da, I didn't ever come across a Saint with that name.

In contrast, the Catholic Sacred Heart Church, in Nottingham, was literally overflowing for the Christmas masses. My wife and I celebrated our golden wedding anniversary there and were both surprised and happy that we were made to feel at home. Another blessing indeed, for me, at least.

I hope I haven't bored you with my religiosity, dear Reader. That wasn't my intention, anyway. To each his own, is my broad policy, but, personally, I've never strayed too far down that road to destruction.