List of churches in Fenland facts for kids
Fenland is a district in Cambridgeshire, England, known for its flat, low-lying land. This area is home to many churches, both old and new, which play an important part in the local communities. These churches belong to different Christian groups and have been built over many centuries.
What are Churches in Fenland?
Churches are special buildings where Christians gather to worship, pray, and learn about their faith. In Fenland, you can find many different kinds of churches. Some are very old, built hundreds of years ago, while others are quite new. They are important places for people to come together and for local history.
Many Active Churches Today
Fenland has many churches that are still actively used by people today. There are about 52 active churches in the district. This means there's roughly one church for every 1,927 people living in Fenland! These churches belong to various Christian groups, such as the Church of England, Roman Catholic, Methodist, and Baptist churches.
For example, in Chatteris, you can find churches like SS Peter & Paul (Church of England) and Emmanuel Church, which is a mix of Baptist, Methodist, and United Reformed churches. In March, there are several Church of England churches like St Wendreda, known for its beautiful roof, and also a Roman Catholic church and various Baptist and Methodist churches.
Churches That Are No Longer Used
Over time, some churches are no longer used for worship. This can happen for different reasons, like changes in population or new buildings being built. In Fenland, some old churches have been closed down. For instance, the old St Mary's Church in Benwick was built in the 1850s but was taken down in 1985.
Other churches, like the chapel in Guyhirn or St John the Baptist in Parson Drove, are no longer active churches but are now looked after by groups like the Churches Conservation Trust. This trust helps to protect and preserve important old church buildings so people can still visit and appreciate their history and architecture. Some old churches have even been turned into homes!
