Under the incumbency of Rev. Charles James Le Geyt, the ritualist, high church, tone of the services sparked off strong protests. In October 1867 the church was surrounded by a mob hundreds strong, protesting, and the vicar shouted at during the service.
Under Rev. Charles James Le Geyt's tenure as a ritualist, high churchman, the services took on an elevated tone that provoked intense opposition. In October 1867, the church was besieged by a crowd numbering in the hundreds who were protesting and the vicar was shouted at during the service.