"We cannot but feel grateful for this past Easter Day, the greatest day of the Christian year. The weather on the whole was propitious, and did not interfere with the attendance of large congregations which filled the Church morning and evening.

There was a large number of communicants, upwards of fifty of whom came to the 7 a.m. celebration, and nearly eighty at the 8 a.m. choral celebration. The services, morning and evening, were especially bright, and the music and singing of a very large choir, fully in accordance with the joyful nature of the Festival. For the first time an Anthem was sung at the Evening Service, and its careful and musical, and at the same time reverent rendering, gave evidence to the careful practise which had been bestowed upon it.

The decorations of the Church were fully equal to those of past years, indeed we think they exceeded them, for through the kindness of different members of the cengregation, to whom our best thanks are offered, there was a rich profusion of flowers. The new Baptistery was lovely in its floral garb, the principal feature being a very handsome cross of solid primroses in a setting of maiden hair fern.

Everything external seemed to be pleasing both to the eye and ear, but we trust that our Easter Day did not consist of externals only; that they were but helps to, and evidences of, the real joy and gratitude engendered by a rightful appreciation of the great Resurrection Day. May its lessons take a deep hold in our hearts and bring forth much fruit."

Source: The Hampton Hill Parish Magazine - 1889 May

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