Parish church

Many villages in Europe have churches that date back to the Middle Ages, but all periods of architecture are represented.

Within a diocese, there can also be overlapping parishes for Catholics belonging to a particular rite, language, nationality, or community.

The parish church is the center of most Catholics' spiritual life since it is there that they receive the sacraments.

There are also laity-led activities and social events in accordance with local culture and circumstances.

This building is not consecrated, but is dedicated,[clarification needed] and for most legal purposes it is deemed to be a parish church.

[4] In areas of increasing secularisation or shifts in religious belief, centres of worship are becoming more common, and many larger churches have been sold due to their upkeep costs.

Toward the end of the 20th century, a new resurgence in interest in "parish" churches emerged across the United States.