Dom Gregory Murray OSB (27 February 1905 – 19 January 1992) was a Benedictine monk of Downside Abbey, an organist, composer, and liturgical scholar whose overriding aim was to provide music that would enhance the Roman Catholic liturgy and foster active congregational participation.

Born Anthony Murray in Fulham, London, he was educated at Westminster Cathedral Choir School under Sir Richard Terry and later at Ealing Abbey School. In 1923 he entered Downside Abbey, taking the religious name Gregory. He gained a history degree from Cambridge (1929), became a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists (1927), and was ordained priest in 1932.

Whilst remaining a monk of Downside, he served at Ealing Abbey (1939–1945), as parish priest of St Benedict’s, Hindley, Greater Manchester (1948–1952), and for thirty-five years (1952–1987) as parish priest of St Benedict’s, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, next to the abbey.

Murray’s greatest legacy lies in liturgical music. His simple, tuneful A People’s Mass (1950), originally in Latin and revised in 1975 for the post-Vatican II English texts as A New People’s Mass, sold over two million copies. An Anglican adaptation appeared in 1963 as A People’s Communion Service. He also made important contributions to the 1939 Westminster Hymnal, composed organ and choral works, and championed the revival of the recorder.

As a plainchant authority, he initially followed the Solesmes method in Gregorian Rhythm (1934) but later broke with it in the influential Gregorian Chant According to the Manuscripts (1964). A firm supporter of vernacular worship, he examined music’s role in the reformed rites in Music and the Mass (1967).

Renowned for his organ improvisation, Murray broadcast regular recitals from Downside for the BBC and composed pieces such as Homage to Delius, though monastic and pastoral duties limited a broader performing career.

Beyond music and priesthood, he retained a lifelong interest in the Gospel according to St Matthew and enjoyed chess, cricket, football, and tennis.

Dom Gregory Murray combined profound monastic fidelity with pioneering practical and scholarly work that profoundly shaped twentieth-century Catholic—and some Anglican—worship, making the liturgy truly singable for ordinary congregations.