Sunday 26th April 2026

St Clement, Knowlton CT3 1PT

Sung Parish Evensong

featuring the traditional music of the village church 1700-1850

Before the Victorians brought organs and robed choirs into the parish life of England, both the music and the bulidings were quite different from what we know today. The congregation sat in box pews around a high preaching pulpit halfway down one side, and the altar was only used a few times a year for the occasionnal communion service. There were no hymn books, or indeed hymns quite as we know them, and instead the congregation sang metrical psalms. There was usually no organ, so village musicians assembled a band with whatever instruments were available.

St Clements, Knowlton, is one of the few churches left that has retained this eighteenth-century interior, and at this service we will once again sing authentic music from those times, accompanied by a specially-formed band of local musicians.

The music is robust, poignant sometimes, stirring and singable, and above all honest and direct.

There may not have been a service like this in this place for the best part of two centuries. Come and join the occasion, in the congregation or the choir.

Minister: Rev Caroline Turvey
Choirmaster: Phil Price

Music list

'The Lord looked down from heaven's high tower' Psalm 53 v 2-6 to DEVIZES by Isaac Tucker (1761-1825)
'Lord, hear my supplicating voice' Psalm 119 v 149-152 to CYPRUS by James Leach (1762-98)
'My soul and spirit, filled with joy' Magnificat to ST HELENA by Thomas Clark (1775-1859)
'Lord. let thy servant now depart' Nunc Dimittis to ARABIA by William Cole (fl.1775-65)
'Thou, O God, art praised in Sion' Psalm 65 1, 12,14 to a tune by James Evison (b.1695)
'The God of love my shepherd is' Psalm 23 to UNIVERSITY by Charles Collignon (1725-85)


Download the vocal scores HERE .

Click here to sign up for the choir.

Scores and Rehearsal Audios

Download the music HERE and listen to the versions below to assist practice.