St Mary Magdalene Church, Islington

The church of St Mary Magdalene in Islington belongs to the charismatic evangelical branch of the Church of England. Although it is an early-nineteenth-century building with three-sided gallery and Tuscan columns, the light Perspex lectern, thick carpet and moveable chairs possibly hint at its preferred style of worship. The Georgian Church was a stuffy affair, and the free and ‘contemporary’ style of its modern occupants makes an interesting contrast.

A stern-looking rector keeps watch of the congregation from a marble monument at the front. The Revd John Hambleton MA (died 1865) may not have approved of drummers, keyboardists and guitar strummers in his day, but now he must hold his peace. Yet he still offers challenge to his church’s current worshippers, at least any who deign to read his monument. He is described as ‘a devout and indefatigable pastor’ whose ‘one desire was to save souls’ and ‘preach JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED’.

Much charismatic music is well-rehearsed and skilfully choreographed, its preachers smooth and endearing. The danger is that it makes the worshipper feel good about himself, recharges his batteries, makes him feel content. Reverend Hambleton offers a salient reminder that the old gospel message must be preached, and that we must reach out to the lost, and not just spend our time massaging the found.