Places of worship

In almost every age and across every continent human beings have established within their area of settlement special places where they may practise their religious beliefs. It is important for children to realize that many local churches have managed to survive the centuries because they were built and have been maintained with much care. The tombs and memorials of the well-to-do within the church and the graves of the poor outside served as continual reminders that Christianity spanned the centuries. When using tombs as the basis for study, it is important to remind the children that it was only the rich who were buried inside the church, ordinary folk were buried in the churchyard. When making a local survey, it is important that children are encouraged to list other places of worship in the area.