Well before the introduction of the church organ, along with "Hymns Ancient and Modern" which homogenised the repertoire of congregations in Britain, church music on Sundays was played nationwide by the village bands, who played whatever instruments they had.
Earlier church music than that we sing now was considerably more fun to sing and much of it sprung directly from the living tradition. No singing in a church voice, and no choirboys or girls to be seen in the villages.
Sorry. That's a genuine historical gap in your knowledge. That's also some truly rocking religious songs to learn if you fancy being enriched at all.
x e "f" c (thanks pip! best middle name i ever had!)