Churches Should Be Devoted To Worship

Published on: 4 May, 2012
Updated on: 4 May, 2012

From Henriette Alexander (Mrs)

I was brought up to treat a church as a place of quiet reverence. I am increasingly upset at the way in which churches are now being used for secular purposes. For example, Guildford Cathedral is now being marketed as a venue for dinners and dances.

Among the promises made at the consecration of the cathedral in 1961 was that the building was “to be devoted entirely to the worship and service of Almighty God, and that all profane and secular use within these walls is renounced forever.”

Of course, I do not believe that eating and drinking, or indeed dancing, are profane acts. But nor are they worship (unless you were to be a Bacchante). I also appreciate that fund-raising events are necessary to maintain the churches and their work. But what are church halls for?

Click here to see website advertising the hire of Guildford Cathedral as a venue