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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.

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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.
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.Latest News
Cathedral closed until further notice |
St Paul's says a final goodbye to its dear friend, Maurice Sills, 101
25 June 2017
With great sadness, St Paul's has said goodbye to its dear friend Maurice Sills, aged 101.
Maurice's funeral will be at St Paul's at 5pm on Tuesday 11 July. There will be no advance tickets for the service, which will be held under the Dome. |
Maurice passed away on the afternoon of 25 June 2017 at the care home where he was resident in north London, having returned there after a stay in hospital in May.
Maurice, a volunteer at the Cathedral since the 1970s, would have turned 102 in July. Even well past his century he remained one of the most active
people at the Cathedral, coming in by Tube most days from north London, and spending most of his time at the Cathedral School where he would read
to the youngest pupils.
He was also the Cathedral's 'go-to' proof-reader, casting his eye over orders of service to pick up any errors in copy.
A former teacher, Maurice remained passionate about education but also had a great love of sport, particularly cricket. For decades he made good
use of his cricket membership both of Middlesex and the MCC at Lord's, as well as their London rivals Surrey at the Oval.
And if that wasn't enough, Maurice was also a regular in the Carrow Road stands of Norwich City Football Club, a team he followed his entire
life.
The oldest of six boys, Maurice was born in 1915 and grew up in South London. In the Second World War he joined the Royal Navy, serving as a Petty
Officer in the North Atlantic and off Africa.
After the War, he was married to Ellen and trained to become a teacher. He went on to become a head teacher and retired 40 years ago. Up until he
died he was receiving letters from former pupils paying tribute to the support and encouragement he had given them.
In his time volunteering at the St Paul's Cathedral School he saw many children come and go, but had a particular soft spot for a certain Alastair
Cook, former England Test captain, who he remembered scoring 110 out of a total of 127 in a game against Westminster Abbey.
To celebrate his 100th birthday Maurice was interviewed at Lord's, and described what it was like to watch the greatest cricketer of them all, Sir
Donald Bradman.
Listen to Maurice interviewed at Lord's and describing watching the great Sir Donald Bradman
The Very Reverend David Ison, Dean of St Paul’s said: "We talk of well-known people sometimes as national treasures; but to all who knew him, Maurice was a humble, loving and much-loved treasure himself, who gave himself to others and whom it has been a joy to know.
"The presentation of the St Mellitus medal by the Bishop of London in 2014, awarded in recognition of substantial contribution to the Christian
life of London, and the marking of his own century were times for celebration of friendship and service; and the fulfilment of his vocation in
teaching meant so much to him till the last.
"Maurice has been ready and waiting for the call to leave us for some years, and now is in the peace which he looked for; perhaps his only
disappointment would be missing the opportunity of a last match or two at Lord's.
"Of all the treasures of St Paul’s, none has been more valued than Maurice Sills; we have been praying for him daily during his last days. It was a
privilege to know him, and he will be greatly missed by his friends of all ages, in all parts of this country and around the world."
Maurice will be commended to God at the 12.30pm Eucharist at St Paul's on Tuesday 27 June.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
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Maurice beams for the camera on his 100th birthday in 2015
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Maurice would proudly wear the scarf of his beloved Norwich City Football Club
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Maurice received the St Mellitus medal from the Bishop of London; awarded in recognition of substantial contribution to the Christian life of
London, in front of the whole school
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