I would be inclined to think of any association between the church and "folk" music to be pretty much limited to the middle of the USA.

Most English folk songs (I mean folk songs) are robustly critical of the organised church as another bunch of oppressors and opportunists who seek to exploit the downtrodden masses, or stand between them and their gods, or prohibit the old ways whether observed out of fear or love.

Aren't they?