A cathedral dedicated to the Apostle Paul has existed in London since 604 AD. The medieval cathedral was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. One of the most iconic structures in London today is the English Baroque cathedral designed by Sir Christopher Wren between 1675 and 1710 during the period of reconstruction after the Great Fire caused the transformation of London’s cityscape. St. (...)
A cathedral dedicated to the Apostle Paul has existed in London since 604 AD. The medieval cathedral was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. One of the most iconic structures in London today is the English Baroque cathedral designed by Sir Christopher Wren between 1675 and 1710 during the period of reconstruction after the Great Fire caused the transformation of London’s cityscape. St. Paul’s Cathedral remained the tallest building in London from its completion until 1962, and continues to be one of the largest and highest cathedral domes in the world. Beyond its architectural landmark status, St. Paul’s Cathedral serves as the Anglican Episcopal see in London and thus has figured prominently in many major cultural and religious events, from the funerals of Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill to the marriage of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer.
In 2000, the Dean and Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral inaugurated a £40m fundraising campaign to restore the interior and exterior of the cathedral and ensure accessibility for all visitors. The first phase of the program—the cleaning and repair of the structure—was completed in 2008 and celebrated the 300th anniversary of the laying of the cathedral’s final stone.
