A magnificent 31 hour Hymnathon raised the rafters of St Michael and All Angels Church last weekend – and raised much needed funds for the Church Organ restoration fund and three charities supported by the church. Masterminded by former principal organist Oliver West, the event was supported by many local choirs and children from Chiswick and Bedford Park Preparatory School and Orchard House School who combined voices for the Christmas Hour. For the third time in 30 years, people at St Michael’s sang all 542 hymns in the New English Hymnal, going right through the night.
“We last did it five years ago to raise money for our new organ and as well as being great fun, and bringing the community together, it was a wonderfully spiritual occasion” says Father Kevin Morris, the vicar of St Michael & All Angels. “People dropped in thinking they would sing just a couple of hymns and couldn’t drag themselves away!”