EVENSONG

Led by the Choir of St. Gregory’s, Choral Evensong is perhaps one of the most beautiful of all services that comes out of the Anglican church. The service is quite literally a living history of our church and its traditions. Being basically Evening Prayer, apart from a few prayers and scripture readings, the service is sung by a choir and cantor. The office of Evensong traces its history of origin all the way back to Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary I under whose hand he was burned at the stake in Oxford during her attempt to return England to Catholicism. Cranmer was trying to figure out a way to reduce the number of services within a day as there were a series of services known as The Hours which required one to attend many services throughout the day. He ended up combining two of the final services of the day which were Vespers, sung at sunset, and Compline, so-called because it completed the day, into one service. We find that the two major canticles of Evensong, the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, come from Vespers and Compline respectfully. The form of the service with the psalms, scripture, collects and prayers all originate from these two services and haven’t changed too terribly since first appearing in the 1549 Prayer Book.   

Many countless musical settings of the canticles and psalms have been composed throughout the centuries making the service of Evensong rich in musical diversity, beauty, and heritage and we in the Anglican Church are very blessed to have these services upon which to draw inspiration and guidance through their graceful elegance and tradition.  

At St. Gregory’s we have many “onramps” which lead people to our church and help them discover the many ways in which this church shares the love of God within our community and throughout the world. Choral Evensong displays one of our most beautiful traditions of worship and liturgy, giving all those in attendance a chance to peer through the windows of time looking into the past, yet experiencing the present by taking part in an ancient yet modern liturgy which has been passed down from generation to generation. 

Our first Choral Evensong of the season will be held this Sunday at 6 P.M. and I invite everyone to attend and bring your friends! This is an excellent opportunity to introduce someone new to St. Gregory’s and to experience some of the most beautiful music ever composed for the Anglican Church and the world! 

Blessings,

Tim Brumfield, Director of Music Ministries, Organist, and Choirmaster