My husband and I were so excited at the thought of attending a worship service and free organ concert at Westminster Abbey on Sun Aug 17, while we were visiting London Aug 16-22. But surprisingly, it was not a good experience from the moment we were ushered in until the minute we left. No one was friendly or even polite. In fact, I understand that positively NO pictures are allowed inside the Abbey, but the workers were beyond MILITANT about it, constantly pacing back and forth, eyeing the crowd and barking "NO cell phones!" and "NO photographs!" at anyone remotely looking as if they were reaching for a cell phone or a camera throughout our visit! It was actually ridiculous and quite unpleasant. So, although the stone work inside the Abbey is beautiful in its own way and the church itself is of course an iconic masterpiece, steeped in history, the actions and attitude of the staff who work in the Abbey undermine and overwhelm any positive experience we could have otherwise had there during our visit. The organ concert was excellent and obviously, the organ itself was exquisite as the sound enveloped every corner of the interior space. But, other than that, we were left feeling exceptionally cold. Even the sermon message surprised me, as it was wholly secularized and politicized, having nothing to do with God. Although I did light a candle and pray for the Lord's peace on our world on my way out, this experience was not at all what I anticipated, considering it is a functioning church and therefore a house of God. It certainly wasn't warm or welcoming as one would reasonably think a house of God would be. But, considering its history, I suppose it's still worth a visit as a tourist attraction, and maybe paying the entrance fee and going during tourist hours is better than going when we did for the free organ concert and evening worship service on Sunday (with NO choir or communion, by the way). That said, if you are only going to visit one church in London, I'd strongly recommend skipping this one and going to St. Paul's Cathedral instead!! It's a far more warm and welcoming environment with friendly staff, both for tourists and worshipers alike!! No comparison!!
