St Nicholas' Church, Rochester

Rather peculiarly, the Parish Church of St Nicholas is right next door to Rochester Cathedral. This seems odd to us, especially in days when few churches, be they parish or cathedrals, attract large congregations. It is located there, of course, for historical reasons; town churches and bishops’ cathedrals did not always see eye to eye, and prelates had a greater charge than just the people on their own doorsteps. For special occasions and large events, the parishioners of St Ncholas would doubtless still attend the cathedral, but for regular worship, their port of call was the parish church.

Today, Christian teachings, ministries and music can be obtained from multiple locations, live and online. One can join distant religious celebrities for online 'worship’ and tune into America’s megachurches and parachurches to satisfy one’s taste. Yet the local church, that gathering of ordinary folk from a shared locality, remains precious. It might not be as grand as its rivals; indeed, its pastors are men of no reputation who are often living in greater men’s shadows. Yet a physical congregation of God's people should not be sniffed at, for He Himself is in the midst of them. 

We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.

-John Fawcett, 1782

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