In November 1782, Charles Simeon, the new pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge, England, arrived eager to begin his ministry. Yet to his horror, he faced the prospect of preaching to a cold, empty church. The congregation, in protest at his appointment, decided to stay away from services, locking their pews so that no one else could use the seats. Simeon could either quit his post or have any who came to hear him stand in the aisle.