[2] In 1926, British novelist Kitty Cordeux began a persistent letter-writing campaign urging the BBC to broadcast daily Christian religious services on the radio.

[3] Originally aired from Savoy Hill and then Broadcasting House, the service was moved on the outbreak of war in 1939, first to Bristol and later to the Trinity Chapel of St Paul's Church, Bedford, under the musical direction of Dr George Thalben-Ball.

This move was driven by cost and logistical issues, and was facilitated by the installation of an electronic organ in the Philharmonic Studio.

Since 2018 live choirs and music groups have often been replaced by specially pre-recorded segments, again for logistical reasons and to make cost savings.

From the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 presenters pre-recorded the services remotely several days in advance, and music was provided by commercial CDs.