Trinity Church Christmas Service

Part of long article discussing the decoration and music planned for Christmas Day worship services across the city. “At Trinity Church there will be full choral service, under the direction of Mr. Messiter… The music will be very fine. It will be rendered by the boy choir, under the direction of Mr. A. H. Messiter, to the accompaniment of John P. Morgan on the great organ. The music will consist of Hopkins’s service in A, and the anthem, ‘Drop Down ye Heavens,’ by Barnby. An afternoon service will be held at 3 o’clock.”

“At Trinity church [sic], beginning at half-past ten o’clock, a series of beautiful chimes will be rung, including, after ringing the changes on eight bells, the carols ‘Once in David’s Royal City [sic],’ ‘Christmas is Come Again,’ ‘The Children in [sic] the Temple,’ ‘See, the Morning Star is Dwelling,’ and ‘Christ was Born on Christmas Day.’”

Lists all pieces played and sung, including those by Ayliffe on the bells.

Review of the whole service. “Commencing at half-past ten o’clock yesterday morning, the splendid chimes of Trinity church [sic] rang out clear and harmonious on the morning air, and in the hands of Mr. Ayliffe the whole lower portion of the island resounded with the melodies contained in the following programme:— [Lists music played on bells.]

“…Of the singing, of the prayer and devotional hymns, they were the best that religious art can produce in America. The soprano voices were excellent, and sweet as to tone and correct as to time and expression. Of the other voices, they produced a grand effect, and were applause appropriate, it is not doubted it would have been given. The following was the GLORIA IN EXCELIS DEO.” Lists full musical agenda for the day, including hymns and mass movements.