VICAR’S CLEAN SWEEP.

Shannon News, 31 March 1925, Page 1

VICAR’S CLEAN SWEEP.

“NO DIM, RELIGIOUS LIFE.” PAINTS THE CHURCH DOOR RED. No Sunday night sermons, a church door painted “fire-station red,” and a revised motto, “Abound in hope all ye who enter here,” are the innovations which the Rev. T. P. Stevens proposes to introduce at St. Matthew's Church, Newington, where he has been inducted “Vicar of Elephant and Castle.” The new vicar, who has been succentor of Southwark Cathedral for seven years, regards his church in New Kent Road as “the most dismal church in London.” It has practically no congregation, is “overstacked with timber,” is badly lighted with gas and has attached to it a damp parish hall which is more like a barn.

In addition there is a vicarage with seventeen gloomy rooms, and the parish life is about as dead as the church parish hall, and vicarage put together. Mr Stevens has undertaken to convert it into a cheerful, model parish, where all people will gather round the church and discover what a jolly, useful thing religion can be. “Last Sunday week,” said Mr Stevents, "there were seven grown-up people left in the church after the children had gone out during the morning service. I think the effective strength of the church people is about ten or a dozen enthusiasts, and thanks to the late vicar, we have this advantage—the place is out of debt. There is even a small balance of money in hand.

“Painting the church door red will not mean Bolshevism—merely cheerfrlness. Cheerfulness and simplicity are the lines on which we are going' to work. You ought to see the parish hall—it’s a real dismal treat. There is a dim, religious light and an earthly smell about it. It has no foundations and no damp course. We are determined to throw all this dinginess aside. Away with dingy hymns, dismal preaching, and the dim religious light.” Professional musicians, singers, and actors have offered to give their help to beautify the services. A violinist from Queen’s Hall is to play on Sunday evenings, and Mr Leonard Salisbury, who founded the Gresham Singers, has promised to sing. An actor from the Old Vic. will read the lessons. Mr George Skillen, another London actor, has suggested plays in church, and this idea is being favourably considered. The hymns are to virile and masculine —of the kind that can be sung with satisfaction. "No more sentimental and mawkish hymns for me,” said the new vicar.