The story describes the battle between a new bishop in London, obsessed with developing his career and enjoying the privileges of office, and a handful of deeply Christian parishioners who used to worship at St Mary Abchurch, an ancient church built by Sir Christopher Wren, in the city of London. The church is now closed as the diocesan authorities aim to sell the site to a large property company. The sale will provide funds for the diocese, of course, but almost as importantly, it will give lasting publicity to the name of the bishop himself. At the same time, the bishop is determined to remove all traces of familiar and much-loved church services in his drive to make a difference and modernise the Church of England.

In their despair, the few parishioners of St Mary Abchurch suddenly find a very rich American saviour who might possibly make a difference. The clamour they make together might perhaps save their church but also might be the start of a Christian religious revival in the Britain of the twenty-first century.