A simple service of holy communion using the Book of Common Prayer (BCP)

All are welcome to join us at Liverpool Cathedral for this Eucharist service.

The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is the classic service book of the Anglican Church. Its first edition was published in 1549 and, after revisions in 1552, 1559, 1604 and 1637 it arrived in its standard form in 1662. It helped establish the balance between the Catholic and Reformed elements of Anglican theology and doctrine. For over three hundred years, almost every service in Anglican churches around the world used the Prayer Book and it remains in use in many churches even today.

The Prayer Book is most loved for the rich beauty of its language which sounds grand and poetic in almost every sentence. It has nurtured the faith of millions and is a great treasure of the church. Every Friday, at 12:05pm, we have a service of Holy Communion according to the Prayer Book’s order. We use the collects in their original form and the sequence of readings is from the King James Bible. There are a few (authorised) variations from the standard text. Devotees of the Prayer Book will recognise what we mean by using the summary of the law in place of the commandments at the beginning of the service. Otherwise it is pure 1662. Normally there is no sermon.

Would you like to find out what happens in Eucharist, and why it is important in the Christian faith? Head to our Services page.