Father and child performing "Here's the Church" fingerplay

Here’s the Church

Here’s the church, here’s the steeple,
Open the door and see all the people.
Here’s the parson going upstairs,
And here he is saying his prayers.

Listen as male British:

Listen as female American:

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Posted in All Rhymes, Daily Life & Objects, Historical & Legendary, Play & Action, Songs & Verses

Tagged church, finger play, parson, people, prayer

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Meaning

This rhyme is a classic finger-play verse illustrating a church, its steeple, and the congregation using hand gestures. It teaches children about community and gathering while developing dexterity and coordination. The phrase “church and steeple” reflects traditional Christian imagery, where the church represents the community rather than the physical building.

Origin

The rhyme originated in English-speaking regions in the late 18th or early 19th centuries, likely evolving as a child’s action verse among Christian families and Sunday schools. It was first documented in collections of oral children’s rhymes around the late 1800s and has persisted widely in English and American folk culture.

Time Period

Printed and performed from the 19th century onward; it continues as a staple in nursery and preschool settings for finger coordination and cultural storytelling.

Why It Became Popular

Its combination of rhythm, rhyme, and action made it irresistible to children and teachers alike. The playful gesture of revealing the “people” by wiggling fingers added dramatic tension and fun to storytelling and memorization.

Structure and Style

Meter: Simple, even rhythm
Rhyme Scheme: AABB
Line Count: Four lines (classic version)
Style Notes: Visual, interactive, and rhythmic

Themes

Community and gathering
Faith and prayer
Play and learning through movement
Architecture and symbolism

Language Notes

The words are simple, constructed to match the physical actions of the hands. The term “parson” refers to a village priest or minister, fitting the Christian context. The rhyme is easily adaptable across dialects and educational settings.

Moral or Lesson

Promotes togetherness, reverence, and the understanding that a church’s true essence is its people, not its walls—an idea often highlighted in modern adaptations.

Historical or Cultural Notes

British and European church architecture dominated skylines during the rhyme’s early circulation, so children would be familiar with towering steeples and church gatherings. In modern times, some Christian educators reinterpret the rhyme to teach that “the church is the people,” not merely a building.

Notable Variants

Versions vary by region: some end after “see all the people,” others add “hear them pray” and “watch them walk away.” Some cultural versions replace the church setting with barns or houses for secular use or animal plays.

Appearances in Media or Literature

Appears in countless nursery rhyme collections, church school programs, and cultural references across Britain and North America. The rhyme often appears in faith-based educational settings and children’s media, including religious storybooks and preschool singalongs.

Suggested Activities

Finger Play: Teach children to fold and interlock fingers with each line—great for fine motor development.
Discussion: Explore the meaning of community and why people gather in a church or other shared space.
Creative Variants: Invent new versions for home or nature (“Here’s the garden, here’s the gate…”).
Illustration: Have children draw or craft a paper steeple and people inside.

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