There is a record of Bildeston Parish Church (Suffolk) in the 17th century giving an allowance to the local morris men to buy their bells. Before the days of electronic keyboards etc, the humble village church would in all probability have music provided for services by the same local musicians you would find later in the local hostalry singing the songs we are all keen to preserve today.

The church, the community and the tradition have always been linked!

A thought on the 'It's just a building' debate, historically, particularly in rural UK, the centre of the village community was the church and the inn, and the church building always used for events other than worship. The real 'Church' are the body of people, of whatever denomination who worship at the building.

There is a good chance that if a church building is being used for concerts, it is because there is a member of that church with an interest in that music, the same person who you would happily rub shoulders with, share a beer with etc, at festivals, sessions, folk clubs etc etc. I know two ordained CofE ministers, one of whom is a regular at the local folk club, the other (now retired) enjoys a pint or five, and plays melodeon with a local morris side. Just ordinary people, like the rest of us, and probably far less fervent about their beliefs than those who oppose them!

John