The Story Inside the Church of England's 'sex cult' - the Saturday Story
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Aug 23, 2025 Sean O'Neill, a Senior Writer at The Times and investigator of the Nine O'Clock Service scandal, shares shocking revelations about Chris Brain, a charismatic leader convicted of multiple indecent assaults. They delve into the vibrant yet troubling history of this Church of England 'rave church' that once captivated youth but became a site of manipulation and abuse. O'Neill discusses the ongoing accountability issues and the profound emotional effects on victims, highlighting the church's long history of failing to protect its most vulnerable members.
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Rave-Style Worship Took Sheffield By Storm
- The Nine O'Clock Service felt like a nightclub rave inside a church with strobe lights, live bands and dancing worshippers.
- Sean O'Neill describes crowds swelling to hundreds and the experience as trance-like and exhilarating for young attendees.
Relocation Removed Safeguards Around Leadership
- Moving NOS away from parish oversight created a power vacuum and removed accountability for its leader, Chris Brayen.
- The Church fast-tracked Brayen's ordination to provide structure but that strengthened his authority instead of curbing excesses.
Homebase Team Enforced Rigid, Sexualised Roles
- Brayen's 'Homebase Team' of mostly young women wore lycra and lingerie and performed domestic tasks while serving his household.
- They followed strict rules like answering the phone only after four rings and preparing his lunch daily whether he was present or not.