St Paul’s Cathedral has been here for over 1,400 years. It has been built and rebuilt five times, and always its main purpose has been as a
place of worship and prayer.
Visit Us
St Paul's, with its world-famous dome, is an iconic feature of the London skyline. Step inside and you can enjoy the Cathedral's awe-inspiring
interior, and uncover fascinating stories about its history.
Learning & Faith
Lifelong learning is a core part of the our work, delivered through a variety of events by St Paul's Institute, and the
Cathedral's Adult Learning and Schools & Family Learning departments.
History & Collections
For more than 1,400 years, a Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood at the highest point in the City. The present Cathedral is the
masterpiece of Britain's most famous architect Sir Christopher Wren.
Support Us
Behind the scenes, the cost of caring for St Paul's and continuing to deliver our central ministry and work is enormous and the generosity of
our supporters is critical.
Venue Bookings
Widely considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful buildings and a powerful symbol of the splendour of London, St Paul’s Cathedral is a
breathtaking events venue.
St Paul's has had a long relationship with the American people, formed largely after the Second World War, a conflict in which thousands of
Americans based within the UK were to give their lives.
The most visible striking reminder of this sacrifice and subsequent deep friendship can be found beyond the High Altar at the very east end of
the Cathedral, in the American Memorial Chapel - a space rebuilt after being destroyed in the Blitz and dedicated in its entirety to the American
dead of WW2.
At the heart of the chapel sits a huge, 500-page, leather-bound book; a roll of honour to the 28,000 Americans - from Aaberg to Zingale - stationed
in the UK who gave their lives throughout the War. The book opens: "Defending freedom from the fierce assault of tyranny they shared the honor and
the sacrifice. Though they died before the dawn of victory their names and deed will long be remembered where ever free men live.”
Thousands of the men named in the roll of honour died on the Normandy beaches on D-Day, as well as in training operations in the lead up to the
campaign and in the subsequent battles on the European mainland, right up until the day on which the Allies celebrated Victory in Europe.
The book was unveiled in 1958 at a service to dedicate the Chapel, attended by The Queen and American Vice President, Richard M Nixon.
A year later, President Dwight D Eisenhower visited the Chapel and the roll of honour. Words in the book written by the President, who as a soldier
commanded the Allied troops on D-Day, read: "Each name inscribed in this book is a story of personal tragedy and a grieving family; a story
repeated endlessly in white crosses girdling the globe. The Americans, whose names here appear, were part of the price that free men have been
forced a second time to pay in this century to defend human liberty and rights. Fittingly, this roll of honor has been enshrined by the Mother
Country of all English-speaking democracies in this special chapel of St Paul’s, once a target of barbaric attack. Here, we and all who shall
hereafter live in freedom will be reminded that to these men and their comrades of all the Allies we owe a debt to be paid with grateful
remembrance of their sacrifice and with the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall live eternally.”
The chapel itself is truly a place for all Americans. The three stained-glass windows contain the state symbols of every American state. The wood
carvings contain the birds, plants and flowers of America and hidden away in one panel are a space rocket and stars – a nod to the space programme
that was being developed at the time the Chapel was completed.
Each November, St Paul's holds a US Thanksgiving service, to which all Americans in London are invited.