<P> Even before the rise of modern European states, the church was providing social services . When Constantine I legalized the Christian Church in the 4th century, the newly legitimised church set up burial societies, poorhouses, homes for the aged, shelter for the homeless, hospitals, and orphanages . These were often funded, at least in part, from grants from the Empire . </P> <P> By 580 AD the church had a system for circulating consumables to the poor: associated with each parish was a diaconium or office of the deacon . Monasteries also often served as comprehensive social service agencies, acting as hospitals, homes for the aged, orphanages, travelers' aid stations . </P> <P> During the Middle Ages, the Christian church had vast influence on European society and charity was considered to be a responsibility and a sign of one's piety . This charity was in the form of direct relief (for example, giving money, food, or other material goods to alleviate a particular need), as opposed to trying to change the root causes of poverty . As there was no effective bureaucracy below city government that was capable of large scale charitable activities, the clergy carried out this role until the Early Modern Period . </P> <P> It was not until the emergence of industrialization and urbanization that the informal helping systems of the church and family began to be replaced by social welfare services . </P>

Where did the term social worker come from