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     Recent Reports > Wandering the aisles at St Thomas More, Glendale, USA > "Miserable offenders" aboard the RMS Queen Mary 2 > RC bishop preaches at Grace Presbyterian, St John, Canada > Upper lips stiffened at Trinity Church, St John, Canada > Friendly spirit, cooling water at St Andrew's, Moscow > Down the rabbit hole at Lubec Christian Temple, Lubec, USA > All stood still at Hinde Street Methodist, London > Trinity as drama: Christ Church, Washington, DC > Tedium at Christ Church Anglican, Carefree, USA > Thoughtful, inclusive Ascension Day: St Martin-in-the-Fields > Sarum use disappoints: Christ Church, Bronxville, USA > Unpack your bags! Living Faith Fellowship, Phoenix, USA > New priest's first mass at Incarnation, Dallas, USA > Hellish becomes heavenly at St Gabriel's, Cave Creek, USA > I could have used a stretch: St Johns, Highton, Australia > Warm welcome and generous sprinkling: St Luke's, NYC > Anthem startles congo: St Michael & All Angels, Dallas, USA > Fast talk but no bopping at St Bernard's, Belmont, Australia > Welcome and calm at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver > Friendly welcome at San Ignacio, Buenos Aires, Argentina Editor's choice > "Miserable offenders" aboard the RMS Queen Mary 2 > Thoughtful, inclusive Ascension Day: St Martin-in-the-Fields > New priest's first mass at Incarnation, Dallas, USA > A road that few take: Baroness Thatcher's funeral, London > Absurd become reasonable: Archbp of Canterbury installed 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.     We rely on voluntary donations to stay online. If you're a regular visitor to Ship of Fools, please consider supporting us. Street robberies and busy saints The Mystery Worshipper calls in on Pope Francis's old patch in Buenos Aires and finds pearls and Prada, hugs and kisses, priests in mufti and prayers to San Cayetano for bread and work. Read here. The Mystery Pilgrim One of our most seasoned reporters makes the Camino pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Read here. London churches Read reports from 70 London churches, visited by a small army of Mystery Worshippers on one single Sunday. Read here.