Evensong and other Choral Services are offered by Music at St. Paul’s throughout the year.
Donations support the many ministries of St. Paul’s.

Sunday, October 7 — 4:00 p.m.
Choral Evensong with St. Paul’s Senior Choir.

Sunday, November 4 — 4:00 p.m.
Service of Remembrance: All Saints’ Sunday
Our annual Service of Remembrance with St. Paul’s Senior Choir.

Sunday, December 2 — 4:00 p.m.
Advent Lessons & Carols
With St. Paul’s Senior Choir, St. Andrew Choir, and Handbell Choir.
A beautiful service of scripture, music and prayers for Advent.

Sunday, January 27 — 5:00 p.m.
Choral Evensong for the Feast
of the Conversion of St. Paul
With St. Paul’s Senior Choir.

Sunday, February 24 — 4:00 p.m.
Choral Evensong to Benefit Metropolitan Ministries
Choral Evensong to benefit Metropolitan Ministries featuring the choirs of St. Paul’s, Good Shepherd, St. Timothy’s, and Grace Church.

Sunday, April 7 — 4:00 p.m.
Chattanooga Area Chorister Evensong
Featuring childrens’ and youth choirs from area Episcopal churches.
Please Note: This service will take place at Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain.

Thursday, May 30 — 6:30 p.m.
Choral Evensong for Ascension Day
With St. Paul’s Senior Choir.

Experience the Serenity of Choral Evensong

During the 16th century, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer created the service of Evensong for the Book of Common Prayer by fusing the monastic evening offices of Vespers and Compline. Evensong is held in cathedrals, chapels and churches around the Anglican Communion every evening throughout the year. Words and music unite, each enriching the other, so that our senses and intellects, our hearts and minds, might work together and draw us closer to the glory of God.

What is Choral Evensong? Evensong is a form of choral evening prayer derived from monastic traditions. Why celebrate Evensong? Evensong offers to us the opportunity to gather and spend time in prayer while listening and participating in music that is especially selected to bring us into deeper understanding of the mysteries of our faith. How long does Choral Evensong last? Approximately 45 minutes. What should I expect at Evensong? Hymns, readings, Anglican chant and anthems sung by the choir. Will there be a sermon? No. Why does the choir sing so much at Choral Evensong? In Choral Evensong the choir sings on “behalf of” the congregation. The settings of the Canticles of Mary (Magnificat) and Simeon (Nunc Dimittis) are always sung by the choir alone. The Suffrages (prayers) and the Responses between the Officiant and People are also sung between the Officiant and Choir on behalf of the people.  This allows the congregation time to meditate and enter into deeper prayer through words and music. What does the congregation do in Evensong? The congregation joins in the singing of the hymns, the Apostle’s Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. The congregation joins in silent meditation through the prayers and canticles. What is a canticle? A canticle (from the Latin canticulum, a diminutive of canticum, song) is a hymn (strictly excluding the Psalms) taken from the Bible. Why is there a reception following Evensong? As important as it is for us to have time to reflect and ponder the mysteries of our lives, it is also important that we have fellowship with those in our community. The reception gives us a chance to talk and share with those who have celebrated with us.