Churchwarden Christopher Jamieson has devoted himself tirelessly to St Benet's Church and its Anglo-Catholic tradition. Single, lonely and prickly, he feels happier in the company of eighteenth century church architecture and beautiful vestments than in that of his colleagues. But the parish is struggling and, when the Church authorities plan a takeover by a hugely successful and popular Evangelical church, Christopher finds himself at odds with his upbringing, his associates, his fellow churchwarden, Caroline, and even his loyal and sympathetic friend, Max. As the takeover becomes more certain, his outlook on life becomes more bleak and desperate, until he takes a step that will change everything.