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mystery worshipper home reports from the uk and ireland reports from the usa reports from australia and new zealand reports from canada reports from elsewhere famous and infamous reports comments and corrections
 
What is this?
Since ancient times (ok, 1998), Ship of Fools has been sending Mystery Worshippers to churches worldwide. Travelling incognito, they ask those questions which go to the heart of church life: How long was the sermon? How hard the pew? How cold was the coffee? How warm the welcome?

The only clue they have been there at all is the Mystery Worshipper calling card, dropped discreetly into the collection plate.
If you would like to become a Mystery Worshipper, start here.
See our archive of reports
Famous/infamous
UK & Ireland
USA
Oz & NZ
Canada
Elsewhere
 
 
Latest reports

> Congregational domino effect in St Mary's, Painswick, UK
> Excellent altar boy, St Mary of the Nativity, Scituate, USA
> Weak hymn singing in Trinity Church, Boston, MA, USA
> The choir inaudible in St Philip's, Chaddesden, UK
> Pep-talk sermon at Lisburn City Elim, Northern Ireland

> A perfect 10: Church of the Red Rocks, Sedona, AZ
> Welsh distraction in Southwark Cathedral, London
> Horror film music in Christ Church, New York City
> Laughing out loud in CGC Chelmsford, Essex, UK
> Preaching drowned out by fan in St Donard's, Belfast

> Too-long sermon in Christian Fellowship, Belfast, UK
> Anzac Day in Gosnells Baptist, Perth, Western Australia
> Incredible testimony in City Gates, Ilford, Essex, UK
> Amazing welcome in Muswell Hill United Reformed, London
> Wandering mind in St John the Divine, Kennington, London

> Trance-like service in Holy Superet Light, Los Angeles
> Intense worship in Auckland's bizarre cathedral, NZ
> Bothered at mass in Most Precious Blood, Astoria, New York
> Sparkling singing in the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London
> Baby talk welcome at St John's, Denver, CO, USA

Special reports

> Queueing to see the Holy Shroud, Turin, Italy
> Martyrdom of Oscar Romero: Westminster Abbey, London
> Installing the 11th Archbishop of Westminster, UK
> Shrill music, friendly people at St Pixels Internet church
> Honoring the martyrs in Lowndes County Courthouse, AL

Comments, corrections and removals

For the latest comments on and corrections to Mystery Worshipper reports, please go here. Reports over two years old can be removed at the request of the church reviewed. Please email here for further details.
 
 
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Easter 2010 reports
Easter 2010
From Yunnan in China to Louisville in Kentucky, we report on Easter services, 2010. Read here.
camino pilgrimage
The Mystery Pilgrim
One of our most seasoned reporters makes the Camino pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Read here.
 
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