text: Fired: Stephen Hogger, pictured, was sacked after apparently falling out with senior church figures . As the congregation of St Peter and St Paul Church filed in for the Easter Sunday service, thoughts naturally turned to the meaning of sacrifice. But little did they know it would be put into action by the entire choir moments later. A letter handed out to the stunned churchgoers revealed the 13 choristers were quitting en masse in ‘solidarity’ over the sacking of music director Stephen Hogger. The walkout means it will be the first time in 200 years that the church, which is famed for its timber-framed Tudor buildings, will be without a choir. The 55-year-old, who had been at the 14th century church in Lavenham, Suffolk, for 17 years, was given notice to leave following an apparent falling out with senior figures. A villager, who asked not to be named, said: ‘It seems to be down to a clash of personalities. Some people at the church feel that Mr Hogger can come across as abrasive and even rude on occasion. ‘There have been comments about him being dismissive and offhand to members of the public, like couples who are planning on getting married and are not regular members of the congregation. ‘He has also not turned up to some meetings and has failed to keep arrangements to talk to people.’ ‘It was felt that his behaviour was out of line with how the church wanted to be seen but members of the choir have always had a great respect for him. They admire him because he is very gifted musically.’ Church organist Mr Hogger, who is a Fellow of the Guild of Musicians and Singers and Associate of the London College of Music, said: ‘Obviously it is all a bit difficult. There is nothing more I can tell you. ‘There was nothing about my behaviour mentioned in the letter I received and I was not at the parochial church council meeting so I do not know what was said.’ Solidarity: All 13 of his choristers at St Peter and St Paul Church have now resigned over his sacking . Quiet: The 14th century Suffolk church will now be without a choir for the first time in 200 years . The letter handed to worshippers said: ‘Following the announcement last week of Stephen Hogger’s dismissal, it is with huge sadness and after a great deal of thought and discussion that the current members of the choir have decided to leave. ‘This decision follows a long period of unhappiness and lack of understanding between the choir and the leadership of Lavenham Church. Today (Easter Sunday) will be our last service.’ On holiday: Stephen Earl, the rector of the church, was away and unavailable to comment yesterday . Mr Hogger was given three months’ notice to terminate the contract on his part-time paid post on March 29 by the PCC. Chorister Gillian Smith, 67, who has sung at the church for 30 years, said: ‘All I want to say is that we resigned to show solidarity with Stephen Hogger. That is the reason we came out in support of him.’ Another chorister, who declined to be named, added they were ‘disappointed and upset’. ‘At the end of the day it is not a very Christian attitude that has been shown to Stephen,’ they said. Stephen Earl, 61, the rector of the church, was away on holiday yesterday and unavailable to comment. Church warden Graham Patrick said: ‘The basic facts are that the PCC have given three months’ notice to our director of music. ‘In solidarity with him, the choir has also decided to leave, something which we in the church very much regret.’ John Howard, a spokesman for the diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, added everyone ‘wish him well in the next phase of his career.’
target: Easter Sunday congregation handed a letter explaining choir had quit .
  They left in a show of solidarity with music director Stephen Hogger .
  Mr Hogger had been sacked after apparently falling out with senior figures .
  Means Suffolk church will be without a choir for the first time in 200 years .