Church rate

The  was a tax formerly levied in each parish in England and Ireland for the benefit of the parish church. The rates were used to meet the costs of carrying on divine service, repairing the fabric of the church and paying the salaries of the connected officials.

Quotes

 * They paid the Church and Parish-Rate; And took, but read not the Receit: For which They claim’d their Sunday’s Due, Of slumb’ring in an upper Pew.
 * Matthew Prior, "An Epitaph", Poems on Several Occasions (1718)