Evensong: Reflections on the Church in England

Fewer than two in one hundred people regularly attend Anglican church services, and many have never been inside one. Richard Morris' book Evensong explores what churches stand for and what they can tell us, why Anglicanism has often been fractious, and why it has become so diffuse, drawing on new discoveries and reflecting on the current state of the Church in England.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2023
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Parish churches have held a cherished place in communities for over a millennium, serving as pillars of faith and gathering places for generations. However, a concerning trend has emerged in recent years: fewer than two in one hundred individuals regularly attend services in an Anglican church, and many have never set foot inside one. The very essence of a church lies in its people, and as these buildings continue to stand as prominent fixtures in our landscapes, they risk becoming mere shells devoid of meaning and purpose. While some churches are finding innovative ways to adapt and serve their communities, the widespread institutional decline is widely perceived as irreversible.

For Richard Morris, the post-war parsonages hold a special place in his childhood memories. In his book, Evensong, he embarks on a quest to uncover the factors that drew his father and hundreds of others towards ordination in the aftermath of World War II in 1945. Along the way, he encounters a diverse range of individuals, including archbishops, chaplains, activists, bell-ringers, bureaucrats, archaeologists, gravediggers, architects, and scavengers. The book weaves together a personal odyssey with a lyrical historical narrative, delving into the question of what churches stand for and what they can reveal to us. It explores the reasons behind the fractious nature of Anglicanism and its gradual dispersion. Spanning a remarkable two thousand years, Evensong draws upon recent discoveries and reflects on the current state of the Church in England. It concludes amidst the complex legacies of colonialism and empire, leaving readers with a deeper understanding of the past and the challenges facing the present.

Weight: 262g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474614238