Sunday evenings

Evensong 6.30pm

NOTE: During the vacancy times of evening services may change or they may be cancelled.  Please always check here for the latest details before travelling.

1st, 3rd, 4th Sunday in the month

The Service of Evensong was created for the Book of Common Prayer by Thomas Cranmer. He drew on the sevenfold monastic cycle of prayer, and combined the two offices of Vespers and Compline (which is why the service includes the Lord’s Prayer twice!) Evensong has been the backbone of Anglican worship for centuries, and continues to play an important part in worship at St Mary’s – not least for the choir, who take an active and important role in leading the music.

• The service includes psalms and traditional hymns led by the organ and choir
• During the month of November, from the feast of All Saint to Christ the King, Evensong begins with The Blessing of the Light
• The choir may sing a special setting of the Canticles or an Anthem
• A sermon is preached at the end of the service
• The service ends around 7.30pm, usually ending with the Salve Regina or another medieval plainsong hymn to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sung Eucharist 6.30pm

The celebration of the Eucharist in the evening is usually the traditional liturgy from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.