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Henry Moore at Mother and Child

Mother and Child: Hood, by Henry Moore

The arrival in the Cathedral of a ground breaking sculpture by Henry Moore initiated a new relationship with contemporary art which continues to this day.

Mary by Bill Viola

Martyrs and Mary by Bill Viola

These two affecting large-scale video installations were created by internationally acclaimed artist Bill Viola.

John Swinton, Rowan Williams and Tricia Hillas on stage at St Paul's Cathedral

Who am I? Identity, Faith and Being Human

Rowan Williams and John Swinton ask what it means to be a human being. Beginning with the insights that working with people with dementia brings, they explore what identity is, personally, collectively and spiritually.

Fig. 1. ‘The Revised design’: South elevation, drawn by Hawksmoor, c.1686 (© All Souls College, Oxford, G.81)

3. Upper elevations and west end, c. 1685

The dramatic increase in funding from 1686 was the main factor behind a major revision to the design that can be dated from mid-1685.

Fig. 6. Robert Trevitt's engraved view of the choir at a thanksgiving service attended by Queen Anne, 31 December 1706 (© City of London, London Metropolitan Archives)

4. The Choir and Morning Prayer Chapel, 1693-97

The design, construction and decoration of the choir enclosure and sanctuary occupied Wren and his assistants at least four and a half years.

Fig. 3. Study by Hawksmoor in half-elevation, section and plan, for a mausoleum-like rotunda on the west side of the piazza, c.1696–97 (WRE/7/1/3)

7. Churchyard and paving and miscellaneous drawings, c. 1690-1713

The earliest known scheme to improve the Cathedral churchyard is an outline study by Wren and Hawksmoor, drawn over a survey of the whole precinct prepared by William Dickinson.

Fig. 5. The Bishop's Throne at the east end of the south range of stalls. Carved by Grinling Gibbons, 1696–9

Sources and abbreviations

A bibliography for the Wren Office Drawings online collection.

Dean David Ison

The Dean of St Paul’s announces retirement in 2022

27 July 2021

The Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Revd Dr David Ison, has announced his intention to retire in September 2022.
Dr David Ison will be 68, and will have served at the Cathedral for ten years. The Dean leads the Cathedral assisted by the Residentiary and Lay Canons, enabling Chapter to implement the agreed vision for St Paul's. Recruitment for the next Dean of St Paul’s will begin later this year.

Choristers processing in the Cathedral

About us

Learn about St Paul's mission and purpose, the structure of our organisation and how we make decisions.

Paula Gooder and Catherine Fox in an online discussion

A Deeper Truth: Stories and Faith

Novelist Catherine Fox and Biblical theologian Paula Gooder talk about the importance of stories in understanding ourselves, the world, faith and even God. They talk about their writing lives, the power of good stories to change us, and explore some of their favourite Bible stories.

Oliver Jessop appointed as Cathedral archaeologist

The Chapter of St Paul’s announces the appointment of Oliver Jessop as Cathedral archaeologist, succeeding Dr John Schofield.

The new Dean of St Paul's, the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett

Andrew Tremlett to be next Dean of St Paul’s

We are very pleased to announce that the Very Revd Andrew Tremlett has been appointed as the next Dean of St Paul’s.

The wooden elliptical interior of the Remember Me inner portico is shown reading 'Remembering all who died as a result of the coronavirus pandemic'

Remember Me: St Paul’s opens dedicated COVID-19 memorial in Cathedral

The Remember Me memorial portico entrance is now open, a physical memorial to all those who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Equal access entrance at North Transept

The first Equal Access entrance to Wren's masterpiece opens

St Paul’s has opened a permanent accessible entrance to the Cathedral. Designed by Caroe Architecture, the project is the most significant change to Christopher Wren’s exterior in 300 years.

pale stone ramp leading up to north transept entrance of cathedral

Phase 1 of Equal Access Project at St Paul's completed

9 Sept 2021

Earlier this year St Paul’s Cathedral completed Phase 1 of the Equal Access project, the first major phase of a permanent accessible entrance to the Cathedral. The project is the most significant change to Christopher Wren’s exterior design in 300 years, taking 20 years from design to completion.
We hope the entrance will open to the public in spring 2022.

Close up of embroidery on Jubilee Cope depicting St Paul's and Diocese of London churches

Platinum Jubilee celebrations

2022 heralds the Platinum Jubilee year for Her Majesty The Queen, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.

An image of the West front of St Paul's Cathedral in the sunshine

70 years of the Friends

A black and white photograph of Dr Potter

Dr Carlyle Thornton Potter: Canadian children's doctor

A profile of Carlyle Thornton Potter, a founding member of the Friends.

A Friend of St Paul's Cathedral working on the roof of the building

Harry Sharr: St Paul's Works Department

A profile of Harry Sharr, a founding member of the Friends.

Peter Chapman: Former Chorister and Lay Canon

A profile of Peter Chapman, a member of the Friends.