Become a Friend of St Paul's

Fire had destroyed the Old St Paul's and several of its predecessors. When raids on London began during World War I, a group of men and women who loved the current Cathedral were determined that history should not repeat itself.

They therefore formed the St Paul's Fire Watch and patrolled the building to ensure that every stray spark from the conflict was extinguished before it could do any harm. They re-formed during World War II, inviting their friends and families to join them. After a public appeal there were 300 volunteers, 40 of whom guarded the Cathedral each night.

Mary Prendergast, who joined the Watch in 1939, remembered the problems of patrolling 'such an enormous building, with many complex avenues on the roof; corners and crannies - there could be an incendiary bomb anywhere in a small crevice, or under some masonry. If this was not promptly removed, it could . . . [cause] a fire well into the building'.

The Watch was disbanded at the end of the war but its members, who had proved their commitment in a time of acute danger, still wanted to do something to help save the Cathedral. In 1952 they therefore formed the Friends of St Paul's, with the Queen Mother as their Patron. This association lasted 50 years until the Queen Mother's death in 2002. In April 2003, Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Gloucester, GCVO kindly consented to be the new Patron.

Today, there are over 3,000 Friends who provide both financial and practical support. Over 2800 are from the UK and others come from 25 countries around the world.

Approximately 130 Friends have also become Working Friends, giving their time to welcome visitors, sell guidebooks and answer visitors' questions. A few of these become guides, taking a six-month training course and passing an examination before they start guiding. There are normally between eight and 15 Working Friends on duty between 10:00am and 4:00pm every day of the week.

Once a year the Friends hold a one-day festival, which includes an early evening service and a recital by the choristers, usually in the presence of the Patron. They also benefit from free access to the Cathedral, a twenty per cent discount in the crypt restaurant and café, and a ten per cent discount in the shop. Additionally, they receive advance notice of certain Cathedral events, an annual magazine and two newsletters a year about the Cathedral and its work; together with the opportunity to join other Friends on arranged activities, from suppers and City walks to day and weekend visits to places of interest.

If you would like to help St Paul's inspire future generations, the Dean and Chapter (the Cathedral's governing body) invite you to become a Friend and so keep in touch. St Paul's receives no regular help from the state, but the cost of maintaining it is very great. Your subscription as a Friend will assist with specific projects. In the past, grants have been given to such diverse undertakings as the provision of the new altar under the dome and a portrait bust of our late Patron. Currently, the Friends are financing a program to supply new vestments for the Cathedral.

If you are interested in joining the friends of St Cathedral, please click here to download an application form.

Alternatively, contact the Secretary, Patrick Wilkins, on 020 7246 8308.

Thank you for your interest in the Friends of St Paul's Cathedral. Your support would be greatly appreciated.