CHURCH AT THE CINEMA.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 193, 15 August 1931, Page 26

CHURCH AT THE CINEMA.

If the Vicar’s Dream Comes True. RENT FOR PEWS RAISED. (Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON, July 4. This is the dream of the Rev A. Wellesley Orr, Vicar of St Paul’s, Kingston Hill, Surrey, after he had read a newspaper account of a proposal toauthorise the substitution of loud speakers in the place of officiating ministers at church services. It is recorded by him in his parish magazine for July:— “ It was eighteen hours all but four minutes in the thirteenth month of the year 1999 A.D., or rather 60 A.A.C., which meant ‘after altering calendar.’” he writes. “ I had arrived at town 25 in subdivision 32 of the Mechanical States of England, having travelled by wireless ray from the capital near Hill. “My subconscious mind, strengthened by pills, the only relic of our old English customs surviving the mechanical revolution, informed me that it was the time of divine service. I accordingly hastened to the local cinema, which Avas now open by the regulations for Sunday observance, and paid my pew rent—eighteenpence, instead of the fourpence per Sunday rate at which we valued our parsons in 1931. “ The processional hymn was well recorded in a talkie showing the principal movie stars walking in pairs led by the Bishop of Hollywood. Psalm by Radio. “ A charming actress appeared on the stage in front of the screen, as the lights were raised, and confessed 'our sins for us in a rich contralto voice. The Absolution was omitted. The 8.8. C. wireless orchestra sang a few verses of a Psalm, while the attendants supplied us with cigarettes or ices . . . “ More hymns having been sung for us, we sat back at last to sleep while a sermon was delivered. “ The collection was taken by gunmen, and was certainly larger than in the old days. There was no Benediction to close this service, and I was not surprised at the omission. “ I wanted to shake hands with the vicar, but was informed that he was not present, as he was in his office hearing confessions on a dictaphone, ministering to the sick by television, and addressing his mothers’ meeting by gramophone. “ Looking at the crowds who were present at this divine worship I said, ‘ At last we are a Christian country! ’ ”