Question about EvenSong

I went to Evensong at St a Paul’s in London about a month ago. It was something I have been wanting to do (at some old church, not necessarily St Paul’s) for a long time. I enjoyed it. It was kin kind of like a church service with no sermon, just singing and some recitation including the Lord’s Prayer. The music was very beautiful, and I enjoyed it.

St Paul’s has Evensong everyday st 5:00, except Sunday when it is at 3:00. Doublecheck the website before you go to make sure it is on.

I had on my normal tourist outfit — leggings, t-shirt, waterproof jacket and Hoka running shoes — and I did not feel out of place. My husband had shorts on. I seem to recall him mentioning that you weren’t supposed to wear shorts, but he forgot and was relieved to see someone else in shorts. No one said anything. I don’t recall seeing anyone dressed up.

Forgot to mention -/ there was a short line to get in; you have to go through security. We got there ten minutes in advance and it was plenty of time.

The more I think about it, the more I think there was no dress code. My husband just felt like he should have worn pants as a sign of respect.

Yes - you would enjoy Evensong! Why not start at the top???

St Paul's https://www.stpauls.co.uk/whats-on/choral-evensong-sunday

Westminster Abbey https://www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/services-times/regular-services/evensong

There is a long tradition of choral Evensong in the Anglican faith. Choral and organ music, prayer, scripture readings, sometimes a short homily. If you have attended a more formal service/mass in Austin, it will not seem strange. You would be most welcome - dress is likely to be all over the map. Respectful, but not necessarily formal. No head covering. Whatever you are wearing to tour in is most likely what everyone else will be wearing.

You may see Evensong at other churches on the outside boards. Any church offering Evensong should be fine to give you a sense of the service. Choir quality may be higher in the larger churches or Westminster Abbey.

The more I think about it, the more I think there was no dress code. My husband just felt like he should have worn pants as a sign of respect.

Yep, no dress code. It’s not like the Catholic Churches you see in continental Europe where you may be asked to cover shoulders and knees. British Anglican churches are a whole different thing. I would think nothing of wearing jeans to church. Probably wouldn’t wear shorts personally but really not a problem.

I’d say the main thing is to be respectful of the fact you’re at a service of worship rather than a concert or a sightseeing opportunity. Be quiet when everyone else is, don’t take photos mid-service and stand/kneel/sit as appropriate.

The only thing you may find is that men are asked to remove hats...

I am a lapsed Episcopalian but I enjoy attending Evensong when in England, especially at the big cathedrals. I just wear what I have had on while touring during the day. I don't think you'll be dressed inappropriately because I know your age range and that you are not likely to be touring in a skimpy midriff top and flipflops, lol.

Here is a link to the Evensong times and Orders of Service for Westminster Abbey. Note that the Sunday Evensong is at 3P while weekday services are at 5P. I would start to line up about 30 minutes before the time given.

https://www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/services-times/regular-services/evensong

You'll be handed an order of service OR there will be one on the book rack in your row. You stand when others in the congregation stand, sit when they do. The choir does most of the singing. Occasionally they will have a hymn that all will join in on but that is listed and the text is generally given in the handout.

For my trip in the spring I attended Evensong at the cathedrals in Hexham and York and also at St George's at Windsor Castle. All were different. All had differing choir skills. All were enjoyable and interesting.

Go and enjoy.

As an aside here in the Diocese of Carlisle (Church of England) we also have a few Church Charity shops which are specifically an outreach mission of the Church they are attached to- as well as being a Charity shop, they also offer a ministry to anyone who needs it, as a sort of lower level way for people to attend Church without the Churchiness.

If you are in the City of London (the square mile) you will find a lot of Churches which do lunchtime concerts (usually free, but donations welcome) for the local office workers (or anyone else) as they now have little or no resident congregation.
The music is usually top notch. If you see one just pop in.

If you can find it Compline (or night Prayer) is a very simple but powerful and beautiful end to the day. It should strictly be at around 9pm. Although much longer than a normal Compline if you are not familiar with the Office, see the weekly Sunday stream from St Mark's Cathedral, Seattle. I take that every week (in my case on a Monday night as the office makes no sense live at 5am UK time).

I know Southwark Cathedral does it on a Sunday- if at the canonically odd hour of 6pm.

For Evensong All Saints, Margaret Street (very near Oxford Circus)- a beautiful Butterfield Gothic Revival Anglo-Catholic Church (way off the tourist radar) is a good place for Evensong on Sunday night at 6pm- in that case usually followed by Benediction.

If you go to St Pauls for Evensong on a Sunday and get there a little early you can benefit from the delightful sound of the bells which peal for an hour prior. My favourite ring of bells. You'll hear them as you are outside (best place to sit and listen is Paternoster Square which is behind the Paul the French bakery), but once you are inside you can't much.

Went to Evensong twice at Westminster Abbey. It lasted about 50 minutes.

You can find charity shops in every town in the U.K. Each supports a different cause. I’m sure there are plenty in London.

We have been to Evensong at St. Paul’s and even my atheist husband enjoyed it.

If you are staying at Number 63, then Westminster Abbey would be closest. And very easy to reach with the 274 bus which runs right past your hotel on Bayswater Road to Westminster Abbey. You get a nice sightseeing tour on the way!

I believe I may have given you the central London bus map before, if not, here it is:

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/key-bus-routes-in-central-london.pdf

The Lancaster Gate stop on Bayswater Road is a very short walk east from your hotel. You do not even have to cross the road to reach it.

Head covering for women is not expected.

Thanks everyone.

It sounds like Evensong would be a peaceful and relaxing way to end day and enter evening. It comes across as a great way to cope with the frenzy of tourism.

Thank you, Lois. I think you have given me information about a bus that runs on Bayswater Road but believe me I can use it again. It is a local bus that doubles as a sightseeing bus just by the route tht it takes.

I will; be flying to London a month from today. My trip is here! I am so excited.

I think you will really enjoy attending an Evensong service!

We attended one at Chester, two in York and one at Westminster Abbey in London.

Dress: there isn’t a dress code, but I always wore a summer dress and brought a scarf to cover my shoulders. I don’t know if it makes any difference, but my husband & I were moved from extra folding chairs on the side in York our first night over to the prime Dean’s guests chairs before the service began.

For Westminster, we were in line 40-45 minutes ahead of time. There was a line in front of us even at that time. A lot of people behind us ended up in chairs where they couldn’t view the service - just hear it.

At least one of the locations had the service order listed on a QR code.

We did Evensong at St. Paul's several years ago and it was a wonderful break from walking around the city. It's also a cheap way to see the interior of the church - just throw some cash in the collection plate. I think it is important to be respectful - it was annoying to see people [tourists] leaving before the service ended - just gaming the system for a free peek.

Westminster Cathedral (Catholic) near Victoria Station has a world renowned choir that perform evening Vespers, like Anglican EvenSong.

It is a beautiful service and there will be people there just for the music. Convenient and stress free way to enjoy English musical traditions.

^^ Yes, Vespers is a beautiful service that I have also attended. Catholic Church, but no "dress codes" of the stricter type needed to enter Italian churches. Respectful attire, no head covering. I know I was in typical "tourist attire" which for me is dark pants and shirt, probably leather walking shoes, but I wouldn't worry about wearing training type shoes. (In case the OP or anyone wonders about that.)

I've been to both Westminster Abbey and St Pauls. Both have been wonderful but Westminster is in more historic surroundings. I wore typical tourists outfit of jeans and comfy shoes and was fine. You don't need to cover anything.

Caveat-lapsed Protestant and not a church attendee. But the choir is lovely and it's nice to relax after sightseeing.

Check the schedule for St Brides Evensong.

https://www.stbrides.com/

I went to evensong at St. Paul’s this past July and it was beautiful. I was lucky enough to get there early and get a seat in the quire stalls. Sitting in the quire made it feel as intimate as being at my home church. Highly, highly recommended!!!

Meant to edit earlier post…I stayed at 63 Bayswater ant took the central line from Lancaster gate to St. Paul’s.

Thank you all for so much wonderful information. My cup runneth over.

I am looking forward to posting reviews which will be soon enough.

evensong at St. Paul’s this past July and it was beautiful. I was lucky enough to get there early and get a seat in the quire stalls. Sitting in the quire made it feel as intimate as being at my home church.

What Stacie said