Church of England parish churches include some of the oldest churches to be found in England, often built before the 16th-century reformation, and thus predating the division of Western Christianity. A number are substantially of Anglo-Saxon date, and all subsequent periods of architecture are represented in the country. Most parishes have churches that date back to the Middle Ages, though often with many later additions or alterations.
The text describes the Church of England's parish churches as being historically significant and representative of different architectural styles throughout history.  Many are older than the Reformation and have undergone additions or alterations over time.