Ecclesiastical Courts Jurisdiction Act 1860

Any person who shall be guilty of riotous, violent, or indecent behaviour in England or Ireland in any cathedral church, parish or district church or chapel of the Church of England . . . F1, or in any chapel of any religious denomination, or in England in any places of religious worship duly certified under the provisions of the M1Places of Worship Registration Act 1855, whether during the celebration of divine service or at any other time, or in any churchyard or burial ground, or who shall molest, let, disturb, vex, or trouble, or by any other unlawful means disquiet or misuse any preacher duly authorized to preach therein, or any clergyman in holy orders ministering or celebrating any sacrament, or any divine service, rite, or office, in any cathedral, church, or chapel, or in any churchyard or burial ground, shall, on conviction thereof F2by a magistrates' court, be liable to F3a fine not exceeding F4level 1 on the standard scaleF5or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months.

Every such offender in the premises after the said mis-demeanor so committed immediately and forthwith may be apprehended and taken by any F1constable or church warden of the parish or place where the said offence shall be committed, and F2taken before a F3magistrates' court, to be dealt with according to law. taken before a district judge (magistrates' courts) to be dealt with according to law.

Any person convicted as aforesaid who shall think himself aggrieved by such conviction may forthwith appeal to F1the Crown Court . . . F2

Provided also, that nothing herein contained shall limit, restrain or abolish the power possessed by the ordinary over the fabric of any church or over the churchyard or burial ground connected therewith.