h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Here is one of London's best kept secrets. If you arrive at the front gate of the Tower at 10:45 on a Sunday and stride straight up to a beefeater and say "I am going to chapel", they will let you in: no ticket, no queues, just some NCO humour.

The chapel service is the 1662 order of matins (sung morning prayer) and the choir is made up of professional singers. The chaplain to the Tower is a good chap who talks a good sermon and knows what he is doing. This service is one of the best Church of England services to be had in central London.

After you are free to go where you like.

I did know that you could be admitted to the chapel for the service without charge, but I did not know it was the 1662 service, or that you could remain in the fortress after the final blessing. If I again find myself in the vicinity I may well attend (as unlikely as that may be - you never know).

I think the Abby service, personal tour of Westminster and the city were priceless, and they contain many of my favorite memories of the trip.

I assume the service is held in the chapel by the 'Queens' garden'? I think I counted at least three consecrated chapels within the walls.

These are the observations that make us a guide! Could I persuade you to consider a brief entry on the service for the Edited Guide

Thank you for your reply.



F S

PT did a great series for on churches: A87765420

If anybody should do the entry, he should.

I didn't include that particular chapel in that series because of its size (Big churches in Little Europe).

I don't quite know what you could write up about sung matins. Best services in the UK. It would be tricky to rank them as I have no idea really.

Maybe just an edited guide entry on chapel services in the tower.

I think that would be very welcome.

I never knew about them, and everything about the Tower is interesting.

Actually the CoE service could make quite an interesting Entry of its own.

Perhaps a bit about explaining the order of morning and evening prayer, Opening phrases, Confession and Absolution, 1st & 2nd Lessons, Gospel and Epistle. A mention of the Collets. A few words on the Communion Service, and that it is not always included. I remember the first time I took my wife, she was shocked that real wine was served, most other denominations here use grape juice.

I know many outsiders are confused about when to stand, sit or kneel.

Also a bit about the levels of service from sung Martins to a simple spoken service, over here I learned the terms 'High' and 'Low' Church. The High Church tends to celebrated in Cathedrals while smaller Churches tend to cater to their congregations and funds. Most have at least an organ and choir for music. The service I attended at the Abbey had no music at all, as I recall.

In the 1970's the American Church 'modernized' the prayer book, I have rarely attended since.

If you want to tackle this I will be happy to add anything I can, no attribution expected, but I would like to see something in the Guide.

Thanks

F S

I did mean to add that an Entry on the Chapel itself, with only a brief mention of the Service would also be great!

F S