The pews were filled at Launceston’s St Mary Magdalene’s Church for a special service in memory of Queen Elizabeth II.

The choir sang a special service of choral evensong on Sunday under its choirmaster and organist Robin Stubbs in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth.

The service was led by the vicar, Rev Dr Peter Knight, as his last Sunday service before retirement

The choir started the service by singing an introit by Hubert Parry in which he set two verses from Tennyson’s “In memoriam” in which life is compared to a voyage and contains the words: “I hope to see my pilot face to face when I have crossed the bar”.

The specially selected psalm sung by the choir was number 121 beginning, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help”.

The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis were sung to a setting in A by Orlando Gibbons from the Short Service.

The Mayor, Cllr Leighton Penhale, read the well known passage from Ecclesiastes beginning “To every thing there is a season”, including a time to be born and a time to die. The new Methodist minister, Rev John Haley, read the second lesson from the Revelation of St John the Divine beginning, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth”

In his sermon Rev Knight made reference to the late queen’s life of service, her faith and her following of Christ and linked both passages of scripture.

The Responses were by Sanders with Andy Dunning as cantor and the anthem was “Holy is the true light” by William Harris.

The congregational hymns were “O God, our help in ages past”, “Immortal, invisible” and “Abide with me”.

On Sunday, October 2, at the usual time of 5.30pm the choir will be singing a free concert programme of reflection and meditation in honour of the late Queen.

It will include well known choral and organ music appropriate to the occasion.

“This will be a time to listen to beautiful choral and organ tributes to Her Majesty”, said Mr Stubbs.