THE FORM OF THE

CONSECRATION OF A CHURCH.

¶ The Deed of Conveyance or Donation of the Church [and Churchyard], with such other documents as may be requisite, shall be laid before the Bishop, or his Chancellor, some time before.

¶ The Bishop, attended by his Chaplains, shall be received, at the principal entrance to the Church by the Minister and other Clergy present, properly habited, the Churchwardens, and others.

¶ At the place where the Bishop is received, a Petition, signed by the Incumbent and Churchwardens, Patron, Trustees or others, as the case may require, shall be delivered to him by the Minister or some one of the persons who receive him praying that he will consecrate the Church [and Churchyard].

¶ The Bishop, receiving the Petition, shall order the same to be read.

¶ Then the Bishop, and the Clergy, and others attending upon him, shall proceed up the Nave, saying, or singing, as they go, the twenty-fourth Psalm; the Bishop beginning, and the Clergy and others answering by verses, as followeth:

Domini est terra.
Psalm 24.

THE earth is the LORD's, and all that therein is : the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.
    For he hath founded it upon the seas : and prepared it upon the floods.

    WHO shall ascend into the hill of the LORD : or who shall rise up in his holy place?
    Even he that hath clean hands and a pure heart : and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity, nor sworn to deceive his neighbour.
    He shall receive the blessing from the LORD : and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
    This is the generation of them that seek him : even of them that seek thy face, O Jacob.

    LIFT up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors and the King of glory shall come in.
    Who is the King of glory : it is the LORD strong and mighty, even the LORD mighty in battle.
    Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors : and the King of glory shall come in.
    Who is the King of glory : even the LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.

    GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

¶ The Bishop and his Chaplains having come to the Communion Table, and the Minister officiating, to the Reading desk; the Founder, or some proper substitute, shall present to the Bishop, sitting in his Chair, the Instrument or Instruments of Conveyance, Donation or Endowment; which the Bishop shall lay upon the Communion Table. And then, standing up, and turning to the Congregation, the Bishop shall say,

DEARLY beloved in the Lord, forasmuch as devout and holy men, as well under the Law as under the Gospel, moved either by the secret inspiration of the Blessed Spirit, or by the express command of God, or by their own reason and sense of order and decency, have erected Houses for the publick worship of God, and separated them from all profane and common uses, in order to fill the minds of those who worship in them with greater reverence for his glorious Majesty, and to affect their hearts with more devotion and humility in his service; which pious works have been approved of, and graciously accepted, by our heavenly Father: Let us not doubt but that he also approveth of the setting apart of this place in solemn manner, for the performance of all lawful offices of religious worship; and let us faithfully and devoutly pray for his blessing upon this our work.
 

¶ Then, all kneeling, he shall say,

O ETERNAL God, mighty in power, of majesty incomprehensible, whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, much less the walls of temples made with hands, and who yet hast been graciously pleased to promise thine especial presence in whatever place even two or three of thy faithful servants shall assemble in thy Name, to offer up their supplications and their praises to thee; Vouchsafe, O Lord, to be present with us, who are here gathered together to consecrate this place, with all humility and readiness of heart, to the honour of thy great Name; separating it from henceforth from all unhallowed and common uses, and dedicating it entirely to thy service; for reading therein thy holy Word, for preaching the same, for celebrating thy holy Sacraments, for offering to thy glorious Majesty the sacrifice of prayer and thanksgiving, and for blessing thy people in thy Name. Accept, O Lord, this service at our hands, and bless it with such success as may tend most to thy glory and the salvation of thy people; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

¶ Then standing up, and turning to the Congregation, who shall continue kneeling, he shall say,

REGARD, O Lord, the supplications of thy servants, and grant that thy Word which shall be read and preached in this place may have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also that the people may have grace to hear and receive what shall be delivered out of thy most holy Word, or agreeable to the same, as the means of their salvation; that in all their words and deeds they may seek thy glory, and the increase of thy kingdom. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that whosoever in this place shall confess their sins, and pray unto thee, and praise thy Name, may be kept by thy Holy Spirit from all wandering thoughts, and worldly and carnal imaginations. Let their prayers and praises come up before thee, and be accepted in thy sight. Enlighten their understandings, purify their hearts, sanctify their spirits. And those things which they faithfully ask according to thy will, vouchsafe to give them, to the relief of their necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that all who worship within this place may present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto thee; and that they may themselves be temples of the Holy Ghost, wherein thou wilt dwell for evermore. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that whosoever shall be dedicated to thee in this place by Baptism, and incorporated into thy holy Church, may by the power of the Holy Ghost ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that they who in this place shall renew and confirm in their own persons the solemn profession made on their behalf at their Baptism, and thereupon be confirmed by the Bishop, may be strengthened with the Holy Ghost the Comforter, and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more, until they come unto thine everlasting kingdom. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord that whosoever shall in this place receive the Sacrament of Christ's most blessed Body and Blood, may come to that holy Ordinance with hearty repentance, true faith, and lively charity; that so partaking of Christ, and being filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, they may, to their great and endless comfort, obtain remission of their sins, and all other benefits of his passion. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that whosoever shall be joined together in this place in the holy estate of Matrimony, may faithfully perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, and remain in perfect love and peace together unto their lives' end. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that whosoever shall be admitted here to any Office in the sacred Ministry of thy Church, may by thy Holy Spirit be so replenished with the truth of thy doctrine, and endued with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name and the benefit of thy holy Church. All which we beg for the sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

NOW unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

¶ Then, the Bishop sitting in his Chair the Act or Sentence of Consecration shall be read by the Chancellor (or other person appointed in his stead) and signed by the Bishop, who shall order the same to be enrolled and preserved in the Registry.

¶ After this, Morning Prayer may follow, as appointed in the Book of Common Prayer, except where it is in this Office otherwise directed.
 

Proper Psalms.
84, 122, 132.

Proper Lessons.
First. 1 Kin. 8. 22-61.
Second. Heb. 10.19-25.

¶ Before the Prayer of St. Chrysostom, the Bishop may say, as follows

BLESSED be thy Name, O Lord, that it hath pleased thee to put it into the heart of thy servant to erect this House to thy honour and worship. We pray thee to accept this his offering, and to remember his work and labour of love. And grant that all who shall enjoy the benefit of this pious work may use it right thankfully to the glory of thy blessed Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

COMMUNION SERVICE.

¶ The Bishop shall read the Service, and the Holy Communion shall be administered.

¶ After the Collect of the Day shall be said this Prayer:

O MOST glorious Lord God, we acknowledge that we are not worthy to offer unto thee any thing belonging to us; yet we beseech ‘thee, of thy great goodness, graciously to accept the dedication of this place to thy worship and service, and to prosper this our undertaking. Receive the prayers and intercessions of us, and all other thy servants, who, either now or hereafter, entering into this thine House, shall call upon thee; and by thy grace prepare our hearts and theirs to serve thee with reverence and godly fear. Affect us with an awful apprehension of thy Divine Majesty and with a deep sense of our own unworthiness, that so approaching thy sanctuary with lowliness and devotion, with purity and sincerity of heart, with bodies undefiled and minds sanctified, we may be acceptable in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
The Epistle.
1 Cor. 3. 16.

The Gospel.
St. John 2. 13.

¶ The Communion ended, immediately before the Benediction shall be said these Collects following:

BLESSED be thy Name, O Lord God; for that it pleaseth thee to have thy habitation among the sons of men, and to dwell in the midst of the assembly of thy saints upon earth. Accept, we beseech thee, these our services this day, and grant that in this place, now set apart to thy glory, thy holy Name may be worshipped in truth and purity to all generations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O GOD, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace; Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord: that, as there is but one Body, and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may henceforth be all of one heart, and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lessons are printed out at length in the original; only the citations are given here.
1 Cor. 3:16-23.

 
John 2:13-22

THE FORM OF THE

CONSECRATION OF A CHURCHYARD

OR OTHER BURIAL GROUND.

¶ The Deed of Conveyance or Donation of the Ground, such other documents as may in any case be requisite, shall be laid before the Bishop, or his Chancellor, some time before.

¶ In the case of a Churchyard consecrated at the same time as the Church, this Form shall follow immediately upon the Service in the Church.

¶ First the Bishop Clergy, and People shall say or sing one or more of these Psalms following:

Conserva me, Domine.
Psalm 16.

PRESERVE me O God : for in thee have I put my trust.
O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD : Thou art my God, my goods are nothing unto thee.
    All my delight is upon the saints, that are in the earth : and upon such as excel in virtue.
    But they that run after another god : shall have great trouble.
    Their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer neither make mention of their names within my lips.
    The LORD himself is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup : thou shalt maintain my lot.
    The lot is fallen unto me in a fair ground : yea, I have a goodly heritage.
    I will thank the LORD for giving me warning my reins also chasten me in the night-season.
    I have set GOD always before me : for he is on my right hand, therefore I shall not fall.
    Wherefore my heart was glad, and my glory rejoiced : my flesh also shall rest in hope.
    For why? thou shalt not leave my soul in hell : neither shalt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.
    Thou shalt shew me the path of life; in thy presence is the fulness of joy : and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.

    GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
 

In te, Domine, speravi.
Psalm 31.

IN thee, O LORD, have put my trust : let me never be put to confusion, deliver me in thy righteousness.
    Bow down thine ear to me : make haste to deliver me.
    And be thou my strong rock, and house of defence : that thou mayest save me.
    For thou art my strong rock, and my castle : be thou also my guide, and lead me for thy Name's sake.
    Draw me out of the net, that they have laid privily for me : for thou art my strength.
    Into thy hands I commend my spirit : for thou hast redeemed me, O LORD, thou God of truth.
    I have hated them that hold of superstitious vanities : and my trust bath been in the LORD.
    I will be glad, and rejoice in thy mercy : for thou hast considered my trouble, and hast known my soul in adversities.
    Thou hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: but best set my feet in a large room.

    HAVE mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble : and mine eye is consumed for very heaviness; yea, my soul and my body.
    For my life is waxen old with heaviness : and my years with mourning.
    My strength faileth me, because of mine iniquity : and my bones are consumed.
    I became a reproof among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours : and they of mine acquaintance were afraid of me; and they that did see me without conveyed themselves from me.
    I am clean forgotten, as a dead man out of mind : I am become like a broken vessel.
    For I have heard the blasphemy of the multitude, and fear is on every side : while they conspire together against me, and take their counsel to take away my life.

BUT my hope hath been in thee O LORD : I have said Thou art my God.
    My time is in thy hand; deliver me from the hand of mine enemies : and from them that persecute me.
    Shew thy servant the light of thy countenance : and save me for thy mercy's sake.
    Let me not be confounded, O LORD, for I have called upon thee : let the ungodly be put to confusion, and be put to silence in the grave.
    Let the lying lips be put to silence : which cruelly, disdainfully, and despitefully, speak against the righteous.

    O HOW plentiful is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee : and that thou hast prepared for them that put their trust in thee, even before the sons of men!
    Thou shalt hide them privily by thine own presence from the provoking of all men : thou shalt keep them secretly in thy tabernacle from the strife of tongues.
    Thanks be to the LORD : for he hath shewed me marvellous great kindness in a strong city.
    And when I made haste, I said : I am cast out of the sight of thine eyes.
    Nevertheless, thou heardest the voice of my prayer : when I cried unto thee.

    O LOVE the LORD, all ye his saints : for the LORD preserveth them that are faithful, and plenteously rewardeth the proud doer.
    Be strong, and he shall establish your heart : all ye that put your trust in the LORD.

    GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

Domine, exaudi.
Psalm 143.

HEAR my prayer, O LORD, and consider my desire : hearken unto me for thy truth and righteousness' sake.
    And enter not into judgement with thy servant ¡ for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
    For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he bath smitten my life down to the ground : he hath laid me in the darkness, as the men that have been long dead.
    Therefore is my spirit vexed within me : and my heart within me is desolate.
    Yet do I remember the time past; I muse upon all thy works : yea, I exercise myself in the works of thy hands.
    I stretch forth my hands unto thee : my soul gaspeth unto thee as a thirsty land.

    HEAR me, O LORD, and that soon, for my spirit waxeth faint : hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
    O let me hear thy loving-kindness betimes in the morning, for in thee is my trust : shew thou me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul unto thee.
    Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies : for I flee unto thee to hide me.
    Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee, for thou art my God : let thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness.
    Quicken me, O LORD, for thy Name's sake : and for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
    And of thy goodness slay mine enemies : and destroy all them that vex my soul; for I am thy servant.

    GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end, Amen.
 

¶ Which ended, the Bishop shall say,

O GOD, with whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord; and who, by the example of thy holy servants, in all ages, hast saught us to assign peculiar places where the bodies of thy people may rest in peace, and be preserved from all indignities, whilst their souls are safely kept in the hands of their faithful Creator; Accept, we beseech thee, the separation of this portion of ground to that good end; and grant us grace so to consider how frail our condition here on earth is, as to apply our hearts unto wisdom; that in the midst of life, thinking upon death, and daily preparing ourselves for the judgement that is to follow, we may have our part in the resurrection of eternal life; through him who died for our sins, and rose again for our justification, and now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that they who shall bring forth their dead into this place may be so strengthened and comforted by thy grace, that they may not be sorry as men without hope, for them that sleep in Jesus. but may render unto thee hearty thanks for their brethren whom it hath pleased thee to deliver out of the miseries of this sinful world; and, believing in thy Son Jesus Christ, may commit their bodies to the ground, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that they who shall here lay the bodies of the departed to rest, in hope of the resurrection to eternal life, may evermore stedfastly believe, and continue in the fellow. ship and communion of thy saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GRANT, O Lord, that all who within this place shall call upon thy Name may be so raised from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that they may be delivered from the bitter pains of eternal death, and have their part in the glorious resurrection of the just; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

NOW unto the King eternal, immortal invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE Lord bless us, and keep us: the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us: the Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace, both now and for evermore. Amen.

¶ In any other case of the Consecration of a Burial Ground the Bishop shall be received at the entrance thereof by the Minister of the Parish, and others, and the Service shall be as above,

¶ The Service ended, the Act or Sentence of Consecration shall be read by the Chancellor (or other person acting for him) and signed by the Bishop; who shall order the some to be enrolled and preserved in the Registry.