"Church Going" is a poem by the English poet Philip Larkin (1922–1985) that is generally regarded as one of his masterpieces.
He worked through 21 pages of drafts, abandoned it, then took it back up, emerging with his final version in July 1954.
Larkin's fondness for English ecclesiastical architecture, and the seriousness of mood he felt in such places, are apparent in the poem, standing in contrast to his cynicism about Christianity.
[2] "Church Going" is notable for its reference to the "cycle-clips" often associated in the popular imagination with Larkin during his lifetime.
He declares himself unsure why he "often" stops at churches whilst out cycling,[4] as he finds himself "at a loss" about what he is looking for – both literally, and spiritually.