EMPIRE’S PARISH CHURCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 64, 13 February 1936, Page 8

EMPIRE’S PARISH CHURCH.

Firmly established as the Parish Church of the Empire, St. Paul’s Cathedral is reacting rapidly to the influence of the new Dean, Dr Matthews, and Dr “Dick” Sheppard, who recently joined the Chapter after making a nation-wide reputation for himself at St. Martins-in-the-Fields (writes a London commentator). These two men, who, until a year ago, were personally unacquainted, are working enthusiastically to enrich the great traditions of the cathedral and “popularise” its services. Several of a long series of reforms have already been applied, and the immediate result has been a large increase in the congregations, which invariably include visitors from the Dominions and colonies. The flood-light-ing of the great dome on Sunday nights and the keeping open of the doors on week-days till 7 o’clock in summer and 6 in winter, are all part of the endeavour to make Londoners and strangers feel that St. Paul’s welcomes them. Those of us who were near the cathedral when the New Tear was “rung in” with a sonorous peal of bells are not likely to forget the scene. For the first time on record there were watch-night services both outside and within the cathedral, which was bathed in reflected light, and made bright by the glowing electric bulbs of two giant Christmas trees given by the King. Nearly 8000 people, including many of London’s Scottish icommunity, gathered in the “churchyard,” where they were led in prayers and hymns by Dr Sheppard, who made his voice audible through loud-speakers'. Some of this very mixed congregation in the openair had obviously been “celebrating,” and were still garbed in paper caps and fantastic costumes; some of them, it seemed, had even drunk not wisely but too well; but, on the whole, their behaviour was an respectful as their singing was lusty. At all events, their attitude gave "no offence to “Dick’ Sheppard, who has announced his intention of repeating the experiment next year. One of the most interesting innovations at the cathedral is the regular monthly service broadcast to the Empire. It was his own happy thought which led the Dean to gather for these services, in a great congregational choir, as many as possible of those who have relatives and friends in the Dominions and in British communities overseas. By doing so he lias forged a spiritual link which will bind hundreds of scattered families together, and make them feel that the world is not'so big, after all.