Musical Function and Identity in a Polish Church in London

This study examines the role of Polish church music in London a decade after Poland’s accession to the European Union, presenting findings from a survey of Polish church attendees (n = 78). Respondents completed a 20-question questionnaire exploring the functions, meanings, and identities associated with church music. Hypotheses concerning music’s functions and its role in identity were largely supported, whereas those concerning its meanings were not. Results indicate a significant correlation between religiosity and engagement in sacred music, although musical and religious activities occur with different frequencies. The primary musical function lies in its contribution to the continuity and stability of culture, sustaining Polish ethnic and Catholic identity. Spearman’s test revealed a significant relationship between commitment to religious activities and participation in sacred music. However, the null hypothesis was accepted for the claim that music experienced in religious contexts exerts a greater effect than music experienced in secular ones. Polish hymns play a vital role in upholding religiosity and validating ritual through their symbolically rich integration into the liturgical calendar. Religious commitment and positive emotional responses to church music encourage broader music participation. These findings demonstrate how music within a migrant religious community mediates emotion, faith, and meaning, linking musical experience with religious practice and cultural identity. They contribute to understanding how sacred music fulfils psychological and social functions that parallel those of religion—providing meaning, emotional regulation, and social integration.