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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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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.

Today at the Cathedral View More

Francis James ALLEN

Private Francis James Allen
27th Battalion, The Australian Imperial Force

Frances James Allen was known as Jim and his brother, Douglas, was the youngest of the Allen family. He loved his older brother, Jim, very much and would tell people what an excellent sprinter Jim had been before he left Australia with the Australian Imperial Force. After service in the War, Jim was cared for at the Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Southall, West London. Jim’s injuries were severe: both of his legs were amputated. He had to propel himself on a little board to get around, once he had returned home.

Jim’s nephew, Peter, remembers his uncle fondly. His aunt Mary took Jim in after the War, as she herself had lost both of her children in a fire. The family knew that Jim became very expert in his embroidery. He embroidered the ‘Rising Sun’, the emblem of the Australian Army, when he got back to Australia, something which the family still possesses.

Jim was part of a large family and had five brothers and three sisters. His brother Douglas included this in his memoirs:

My brother Jim won the 100 yards championship of the Stanley District at Biarra a few miles from Esk. He went to World War One, regimental No 2105 25th Battalion. He was wounded at Passchendaele; they amputated one leg at the dressing station and one of the stretcher bearers was Tom Grant from Murwillumbah. He told us the story how the soldiers were lying outside the dressing station waiting for attention. He was transferred to Southall Hospital where all the men had lost a limb. Later on they had to take the other leg off. Both legs were now about six inches long. When he arrived home on the hospital boat Karoola he had a wheel chair propelled by two handles.Later on he had a motorcycle, he sat in the chair which had a gear lever handle etc. that he drove from the chair. Then he got a motor car (Willy) which had a hand clutch and he drove it during WWII. He went with other motor cars and met the wounded and he would take them to the hospital or wherever they had to go.