Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the late 17th century, St Paul’s Cathedral is a vibrant church, a national treasure and a London icon. For over 1,400 years, people have gathered here to worship, to reflect, to listen and to pray.
Our vision is to inspire faith, welcome everyone, and be a Cathedral for London and the world.
Our mission is to bring this vision to life: every day we set out to welcome and inspire. We show excellence in liturgy, heritage crafts, conservation, music, a host of human endeavours. Rooted in the Christian faith, we’re shaping a sustainable home for learning, celebration, reflection and worship.
Our Cathedral community includes regular worshippers, nearly 220 staff and many generous volunteers who welcome visitors, lead tours, ring our bells, maintain our collections and more. We provide comfort and commemoration through our national services and stand as an enduring symbol of hope – for those of all faiths and none.
Every day, people come through our doors to worship, pray, reflect and find a moment of stillness. Our services include daily worship as well as special services that mark moments of joy and sorrow in our shared life, and celebrate the work of charities and organisations across the UK and beyond.
Our worshippers are a diverse community: some come to St Paul’s regularly, while others join us for major festivals, special services or significant moments in their lives. Many more visit from around the world, perhaps only once, but become part of our story for a short time. Our music is world-class, and we aim for the same high standards in our liturgy and preaching.
Regular services reflect the tradition of Anglican cathedral worship, within the broad catholic tradition. On special occasions, worship can take many forms, including Gospel choirs, praise bands, liturgical dance and drama. We also welcome representatives of other Christian denominations and faiths to services and events, and invite them to take part where appropriate – and where they feel comfortable.
We’re also a place for learning and listening; a place for questions and debate. Through St Paul’s Cathedral Institute we provide a programme of events, talks and digital content, creating opportunities for people to explore questions of faith, culture and social justice, and to encounter ideas and perspectives they may not otherwise have the chance to hear.
Our gathered community includes regular worshippers, around 220 staff and around 370 volunteers. We’re also home to around 55 choristers (girls and boys) and probationers, supported by their parents, and we work closely with the nearly 60 staff of St Paul’s Cathedral School and the 220 day pupils.
As the Cathedral of the Diocese of London, we have a particular role in supporting the Bishop of London and the wider Diocese. The Bishop, as Visitor to the Cathedral, meets with our Chapter each year to discuss matters of shared concern, and is a regular presence at St Paul’s. We’re committed to supporting the Diocese in delivering its 2030 vision and to strengthening our contribution to the life of London.
Up to 30 clergy from across the Diocese serve as Prebendaries of St Paul’s and, together with the bishops and archdeacons, form part of our wider corporate life. We’re also patron of several parishes, and we value our relationships with them and the communities they serve.
We have a long history of working with the City of London and its livery companies and Lord Mayors. Today, that relationship sits alongside our connections with the modern City – its businesses, traders, banks and insurers, and the people who come to work here from across the UK and around the world. We also work closely with our neighbours, including leading arts and cultural organisations, to play our part in the life of the City and the wider capital.
We’re the heart of the City, but our role extends across the Diocese of London and the communities of Greater London. London is one of the world’s most diverse cities, and we’re committed to finding new ways to listen, connect and build relationships with people and communities across the capital, particularly where those relationships are less well established.
We’ve long been part of the moments that shape our national life. From national commemorations and anniversaries to moments of collective grief and celebration, we provide a place for people to come together. Recent examples include the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, the NHS anniversary service in 2021, the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service in 2017, and the 21st anniversary of the 7/7 bombings in London in 2026 . Following the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we held a service of Prayer and Reflection within 24 hours of the announcement.
Our reach also extends well beyond the UK. We’re proud of our longstanding connections with the United States of America, including through the American Memorial Chapel and our annual Thanksgiving Day Service. The St Paul’s Cathedral Trust in America (SPCTA), based in Washington DC, supports us through fundraising, including for projects such as Girls’ Voices and the forthcoming restoration of our Dome, Ball and Cross.
We’re also home to chapels and communities connected with the Order of St Michael and St George, the Order of the British Empire and the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor. We provide a place of worship and thanksgiving for national organisations including the Order of St John, and have longstanding diocesan connections with the Evangelical Church of Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesia & Upper Lusatia, and with the churches of Angola and Mozambique through the Angola London Mozambique Association (ALMA).
St Paul’s Cathedral is a registered charity with dual regulation through the Church Commission and the Charity Commission. As the Trustee body, Chapter exercises governance and has overall responsibility for the mission and activities of the Cathedral. Our Chapter consists of the Dean (as Chair) and three executive Residentiary Canons alongside seven Non-Executive Chapter members, who are appointed for their professional expertise and Christian faith. In addition, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Operating Officer (CFO) are in attendance at Chapter meetings and other senior staff are invited to attend as appropriate.
Chapter has seven full committees covering finance, audit, nominations, safeguarding, accessibility, visual arts and the school, plus a wholly owned trading company, St Paul’s Cathedral Enterprises Ltd. A community of around 45 non-executives serve across these committees
Our cathedral operations are delegated to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT ) which is directed by the Chief Operating Officer. ELT meets weekly, is chaired by the COO and is made up of:
- COO line manages CFO, Dir Visitor Services, Dir Development, Dir Property
- CFO (Cathedral finances, business planning and I.T.)
- Chancellor (theological, adult and schools learning and schools’ outreach)
- Precentor (liturgy and music)
- Steward (pastoral care, safeguarding, volunteers and resources)
- Director of Visitor Engagement looks after welcome and the tourist and commercial business
- Director of Development is responsible for fundraising
- Director of Property is responsible for buildings, maintenance, projects and sustainability
- Dean (in attendance)