no you dont need church to have a relationship with God, you can talk to God any time you get down on your knees and pray....BUT, the Word of God says this, " So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." romans 10:17 AND " How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" romans 10:14

so, you can have a relationship with God but you need an annointed man of God to preach to you and have God speak to His people.