EJECTED FROM CHURCH

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1931, Page 6

EJECTED FROM CHURCH

POLICE SUMMONED BY VICAR. LONDON, June 10. More than ■ 120 people were ejected from St. Michael’s Church, Lumb-in-Rosseudale, near Burnley, Lancashire, at the Sunday evening service recently. Protests by members of the congiegation against the vicar, the Rev 1. Caleb, were resumed alter a twelvemonths truce, and at the service took an active form.

The original dispute arose following the dismissal of the choir, and disorderly scenes occurred at the services for three months until a truce w-as made.

The vicar had arranged for the service to begin with the singing of the National Anthem, hut not more than two lines had been sung when several members of the congregation began to sing the hymn, “The Church’s One Foundation.” . ■

They overwhelmed the 'new choir which the vicar had gathered together and for a few* minutes the vicar left the church and called in the police. He then intimated which members of the congregation lie required removing. Many refused to go, and in or.e instance the vicar took hold of a man s arm and tried to pull him to his feet. Eventually all the protesting nieiners of the congregation were induced to leave. As the pews were being emptied they continued to sing, and the organ loudly played another hymn tune. Nearly twenty minutes was occupied in clearing the church, and during the whole of that time there was pandemonium.

Later a large number of those who had been turned out re-entered the church, but took no part in the service, which was brought to an early r-Io:je ;