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Dicken's Dictionary of London, 1879

Charles Dickens Jr produced a comprehensive guide to London, including a section listing service times and details in many (but not all) churches in the capital. This provides an interesting snapshot of how patterns of worship were developing. The tables specify some of the defining marks of ritualism - 'vestments' / 'vestments (coloured)'; 'tapers on altar, unlighted' / 'tapers on altar, lighted'; 'Anglican' or 'Gregorian' music; 'Eastward position'. They also note churches where all sittings were free (offertory collections were becoming the norm); those that were open for private prayer; and those where the black gown was worn for preaching. 11am was the standard time for morning services, with increasing numbers of 'early celebrations' (a few at 6am and 7am, most at 8am or 8.30am). Dickens comments on the 'advanced' churches, mentioning in particular St Peter London Dock and St Alban Holborn as well as All Saints Margaret Street, and warns that the congregation do not communicate at the 'high celebration'. He advises that, for fashionable churches with choirs, it was necessary to be there 15 or 30 minutes before the service to get a good seat, especially on festivals. 

Here are the details for churches in this parish (the guide does not list St John the Evangelist Golding Street or St Mark Whitechapel; nor does it give details about the administration of Holy Baptism). The complete list for all churches can be found here.



Sunday... ..................................... ........................................... ............................ weekdays holy days
St George-in-the-East Anglican music, Ancient & Modern,
Free, open for private prayer
8 HC
(1st S)
11 M, 11.45 HC 3.30 Litany 6.30 E
(HC 3rd S)
11 M 11 M,
7 E
St Matthew
Pell Street
Anglican music, Ancient & Modern Revised
11 M, Litany & Ante-Com
6.30 E
11 M
Christ Church
Watney Street
Anglican music, Ancient & Modern
11 M, Litany & Ante-Com
6.30 E
8 HC (2nd S)
11 M
(Mon & Fri)

St Paul Dock Street Free, Black Gown, Mercer's
11 M
11.45 HC (1st S)
3.30 special service 6.30 E
(HC 3rd S)


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