Marking 350 years since the 1662 Prayer Book – a brief survey of C of I worship

The reformation of worship The first Prayer Book of the reformed Church of England was introduced in Ireland on Easter Day, 1551, in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. Under Henry VIII the Church of England ceased to be in communion with the Pope but the reform of worship only happened when Edward VI was king with the issue of the 1549 Prayer Book. Its chief architect was Archbishop Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556)1, whose aim was not to change completely the church’s worship but to purge from it what was unscriptural or superstitious, to ensure that the Bible was read systematically in services through the year, and to encourage lay people to take an active, vocal part in worship. For this reason worship was in English rather than Latin. The whole book was meant to be user-friendly both for priest and people. Hence the services were simplified and the service books of the medieval church were combined in one, The Book of Common Prayer.

* Full article available in printed copies.

William Marshall

author of Scripture, Tradition and Reason, was formerly vice-principal of the Church of Ireland Theological College and chancellor of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.