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Explore our site

Exhibition: Saving St Paul's: The Watch and the Second World War

a silhouette of a male figure wearing a hat against a background of St Paul's bell tower

Exhibition: Saving St Paul's: The Watch and the Second World War

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couple reading service schedule during consecration service

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Ways to donate

choristers boys sharing candle light christmas

Ways to donate

Our digital resources

Rowan Williams smiling as he leafs through his book at an event at St Paul's Cathedral

Our digital resources

Stories from St Paul's podcast

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Stories from St Paul's podcast

Achievements through the years

Chapel
Photograph of St Dunstan's Chapel, showing the new curtains installed by the Friends of St Paul's in the 1950s (Ref. No. 2226)

Achievements

Over the years since their foundation the Friends have made a considerable contribution to the life and welfare of the Cathedral.

Financially, the Friends have raised millions of pounds over the past 70 years to go towards fabric and furnishings, artwork, music, services, publications and various major projects. The first ever donation made was £50 (the equivalent of £1,500 today) towards music services in 1952. Music has continued to be the focus of fundraising, either as grants to the Music Department or sponsorship of music events.

Image showing cover of Dome Magazine
Front page of Dome magazine, No. 2 Winter 1964-1965, showing the new pulpit

Woven into the fabric

Contributions to the fabric of the building have ranged from the small, such as providing a clock for the newly rebuilt Chapter House and curtains for St Dunstan’s Chapel in the 1950s - to the more extensive, such as the cleaning of the West portico in 1957, and in the 1960s, providing what is still the pulpit we use today. The Cathedral's clock was electrified and work carried out to one of the bells, Great Paul, in the 1970s.

The Friends also sponsor a Chorister every year, as well as making annual donations to the Cathedral's Learning Department. 

More recently, the Friends have contributed to improvements to the Whispering Gallery, and most poignantly, supported the creation of the 'Remember Me' memorial, commemorating those who have lost their lives to the COVID-19 pandemic.  It is easy to see how the efforts of the Friends are woven into almost every aspect of the building, as well as their care and commitment - to the Cathedral's past, present and future.

A letter from the astronaut Jim Lovell, thanking the Friends of St Paul's for his honorary membership
Letter to John Vennard, Friends of St Paul's, from Captain James A. Lovell, NASA, thanking him for his Friends membership card, 12 June 1969 (ref. No. LRAT/241)

Out of this world membership

The Friends are more than just fundraisers, too. As with their predecessors the St Paul's Watch, being a Friend of St Paul's provides an opportunity to become part of a unique community, and engage with fellow supporters of the Cathedral.

These fellow supporters have come from a variety of backgrounds - perhaps most spectacularly in 1969 when the membership saw the addition of US astronauts Bill Anders, Frank Borman and James Lovell - but have always played a crucial role in helping to maintain a historic building and centre of worship. 

What will the next 70 years bring? 

More on the story of the Friends

Members of the St Paul's Watch during the Second World War

The St Paul's Watch

Explore the history of the St Paul's Watch and their activities during the Second World War. 

 

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Bomb damage sustained to St Paul's during the Second World War

Wartime damage and repair

It is a common myth that St Paul’s escaped damage during the Blitz, but in fact the Cathedral was to endure two direct hits by high explosives during the Second World War.

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Portrait of Godfrey Allen, Surveyor to the Fabric between 1931 and 1956, taken during the Second World War

Godfrey Allen

Godfrey Allen, Surveyor to the Fabric from 1931-1956 was described as 'the St Paul's terrier', and was devoted to the Cathedral.

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A portrait of Dean Walter Matthew

Dean Walter Matthews

Walter Matthews became Dean in 1934; a post he would hold for 33 years, during which time he was instrumental in the establishment of the Friends of St Paul's.

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Bomb damage to the Cathedral during the Blitz

A flying start: How the Friends were founded

The very first meeting of the Friends of St Paul's took place on a pleasant spring evening, on the 29th April 1952.

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Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother visiting St Paul's

The best club in London

Learn more about the companionable spirit of the St Paul's Watch, and their very special camaraderie.

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An early newsletter to the Friends of St Paul's

The Friends' early years

The first 10 years of the Friends of St Paul's were a time of great activity, with rapid growth in membership and vital fundraising work.

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St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Churchyard
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EC4M 8AD

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St Paul's Cathedral takes safeguarding very seriously. We are committed to protecting the welfare of children and of all adults who are vulnerable – whether that be our worshippers, visitors, clergy, staff or volunteers.

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