LITTLE ROCK — In the low light of the nave, the night service of compline at Little Rock’s Christ Episcopal Church begins with the chanting of prayers and Psalms. Soon, the voices of the choir rise in song, filling the darkened space with music.

The service, once common in monastic communities and in Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, is a rarity in Arkansas. But it has been a fixture at Christ Church for about six years. It’s meditative, contemplative and short, clocking in at 20 minutes.

Scott Walters, rector of Christ Church, said the congregation began offering the Sunday night service as more people began moving to the downtown area.

“We felt like offering the service as a gift,” he said. “Anyone can walk into it, sit down and soak it up and say their prayers. It was a way of giving people access to the church in a busy, hectic world.”

The office of compline is the last of the canonical or monastic hours of the day. The word compline comes from the Latin word “completorium,” meaning complete. Traditions vary by denomination; in the Episcopal tradition the hours are known as the Daily Office. The Book of Common Prayer, a prayer book used by churches within the Anglican Communion, includes readings and psalms for morning, noonday and evening prayer, as well as compline.

Compline is a night service intended to end the day with prayer. It was introduced by St. Benedict in the sixth century for use in monastic communities. The service preceded the “great silence” when the monks would refrain from speaking until morning prayer the following day.

Walters said the service at Christ Church is “ancient and yet fresh at the same time.”

The service of compline begins with the tolling of a bell as a call to gather. The entire service is chanted or sung a cappella by members of the compline choir. The small choir of about a dozen members stands off to the side in the transept, an area that forms a cross by transecting the nave, the portion of the church where parishioners sit.

The officiant begins by chanting from the prayer book: “The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.”

The service is a mixture of Scripture readings, responses, periods of silence, and songs, some in Latin and others in English.

“There are some really profound and beautiful prayers in the service,” Walters said.

The focus is on ending the day in worship, and many of the readings allude to finding shelter and peace in the Lord. Walters said one prayer especially resonates with many during compline. It’s known as St. Augustine’s Prayer:

“Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous, and all for your love’s sake. Amen.”

“That’s meaningful to a lot of people,” Walters said.

Choir director Steve Bullock said he appreciates the service for its simplicity.

“It’s calm and contemplative,” he said.

The choir gathers shortly before each service to rehearse. Not only do they enjoy the eclectic mix of music they sing, they also treasure the fellowship and the meditative tone of the service.

“It’s a deeply meaningful and prayerful experience for all of us,” said choir member Thomas Lee.

Suzanne Loerch said the service is a “lovely and quiet” part of her week.

Walters said the acoustics in the stone church enhance richness of the a cappella singing. The church was built in 1941 in a neo-Gothic style and features classic pointed archways and windows and a soaring, arched ceiling.

Walters said he appreciates the service because it allows him time to focus on prayer after a busy day.

“Sunday is a workday for me and, as much as I love my job and being able to preach and worship, sometimes I don’t get to say my prayers until compline when it’s quiet and everything centers,” he said.

The service is at 6:45 p.m. Sundays. The church is at 509 Scott St.

Compline services can be heard online at christchurchlr. org

Religion, Pages 12 on 11/10/2012