
At the bustling crossroads of an unnamed city stands Saint Agatha’s, a church famed for its wealth, soaring choir, and impeccable reputation. When the long‑standing rector succumbs to a sudden flu, the parish is left to its own devices, and a rotating roster of distinguished guest ministers steps in to keep services humming. The congregation, accustomed to grandeur and smooth transitions, watches as the pulpit passes from one eminent clergyman to the next, each bringing a touch of their own flair.
Amid the orderly shuffle, one vestryman—descended from the benefactress who originally funded the church—finds his ideas at odds with the consensus. Though a heavy taxpayer and respected figure, his unconventional opinions occasionally surface, and this time he seeks the rare privilege of overseeing the Sunday “supply.” His request hints at a subtle power play that could ripple through the otherwise harmonious walls of Saint Agatha’s.
Language
en
Duration
~46 minutes (44K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Al Haines
Release date
2010-11-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1844–1911
A pioneering American novelist and reform-minded writer, she is best remembered for The Gates Ajar, a hugely popular Civil War-era novel that imagined heaven in deeply personal, comforting terms. Her work also pushed into social criticism, women’s lives, and spiritual questions that resonated with a wide nineteenth-century readership.
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