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Worship & Music
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.
History
Cathedral closed until further notice |
Charles Edward HOUSDEN
Private Charles Edward Housden
2nd Bedfordshire Regiment
Regiment number: 14092
Private Housden’s granddaughter, Liz Housden, writes:
He lost a leg in the war and was given a tin one. It had a lever at the knee, on the side, that he had to adjust when he wanted to sit down or stand up. When I was a little girl, this used to intrigue me and I spent a lot of time making him show me how it worked. Of course, I had no appreciation of how difficult this made his life. I simply thought he was an exceptionally special grandfather because none of my friends had grandfathers with tin legs.
When my father died, nearly twenty years ago now, I found in his belongings a piece of needlepoint, depicting a flag and the years 1914-1918. I was always perplexed by it because, of course, my own father served in the Second World War, not the First. My father periodically did needlepoint and embroidery (usually when he was trying to give up smoking) but I don’t believe he did this particular piece. I think it must come from my grandfather, but I only learned of his involvement in the St Paul’s tapestry recently, from my brother.
It’s strange how these things pass down through families because I now also do needlepoint. I’m not as good at it as my father was, but I thoroughly enjoy it nonetheless.
Charles Housden was treated at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London.
Housden, Private Charles Edward 1
Housden, Private Charles Edward 2
Housden, Private Charles Edward 3
Housden, Private Charles Edward 4
Housden, Private Charles
Edward - recovering in hospital
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