I didn’t even know it was possible to sit in the quire with the choir at Westminster Abbey – let alone on Palm Sunday. Yet, somehow we found ourselves sitting in the most magnificent church with the world-famous group one year ago!
Westminster Abbey is grand and you immediately feel the combination of God, art and history from the moment you enter. It is England’s national church and one of the most famous churches in the world, if not THE most famous. Kings and Queens have been crowned, married, and buried here since 1066 so the church is rich in history. We toured the Abbey in a prior trip but didn’t have the opportunity to attend a Sunday service here, so I was excited when I found out our next trip to London fell over Palm Sunday.
First, let me tell you what happened earlier that morning at St Dunstan and All Saints Stepney. As I discussed in a previous blog post, this was the church where my ancestors worshipped and where they were married. So, it was incredibly special that we got to attend their service, as it is still a working church despite being over 1000 years old.
But since this was Palm Sunday the mass included a procession in the regular service. It was amazing because we got to join the congregation as they walked through the East London neighborhood singing hymns. A few people in front and back carried palm fronds representing the palm branches the crowd scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem. I was surprised that they were able to secure actual palm fronds since many cold climates have to substitute with other branches. The real-deal palms just made it even more special.
After the service, we all joined together for a group photo and some socialization. It was a special Palm Sunday morning indeed.
After that amazing service, we went out for lunch before we went to the Evensong Service at Westminster Abbey. I had gently encouraged my husband to dress up for church in the morning and so he informed me he wanted to stop off at the hotel to change before the service. I wanted to stay dressed for the occasion and remained so (and I’m so glad I did as it just made the occasion that much more memorable).
We arrived at Westminster Abbey about 20 minutes before the Evensong service was to begin. This service is where the famous Abbey choir (usually comprised of 22 boys and 12 men) sings during the service. This still is a service however and not a concert. I was shocked to see the line was very long and asked an attendant if it was the line for the service. Indeed, it was as there are no tours on Sundays. Well it is a big church, so I thought it really didn’t matter where we sat so waited our turn … until we got inside and a docent (“verger”) walked over to me and whispered, “Dear, would you like to sit in the quire?” I would like to think I replied very calmly, “That would be lovely” but probably over-excitedly exclaimed, “That would be AMAZING!”
So, she ushered us over to the beautiful Victorian Gothic-style raised stalls and we were seated right next to where the Westminster Abbey choir would be sitting. There were dark wood panels, with small lamps and rows of beautiful gold gothic designs detailed behind us -- so much beauty was hard to take in at once. I couldn’t believe it – looking around and above -- so many emotions to process! I vaguely remember the TV coverage of the last royal wedding and seeing Kate Middleton walk in front of those raised boxes (which I now know is called the quire) and we were sitting there!
A nice woman next to me asked if I was “quite alright” and I told her I didn’t know HOW we got there. She told me her grandson was in the choir and normally people are family members or stand in the queau (line) for a very long time to be able to sit there. I looked at my husband and said, “It’s because I dressed up.” It probably wasn’t but I like to think it was, so I’m sticking with that.
Taking photos was not allowed in the church for obvious reasons but the experience was magical, and I have a mental snapshot of this incredible experience.
I now know basically anyone can sit there but the line can be very long to do so. If you were to ask me if it is worth it to stand in the queau to sit in the quire with the choir – my response would be an emphatic, YES! Although, it might not hurt to dress up a little either.
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