St Paul's cathedral
| St Paul's | |
|---|---|
| Cathedral Church of St Paul the Apostle | |
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| Coordinates: 51°30′49″N 0°05′53″W / 51.513611°N 0.098056°W | |
| Location | London, EC4 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | stpauls.co.uk |
| History | |
| Consecrated | 1697 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I Listed |
| Previous cathedrals | 4 |
| Architect(s) | Sir Christopher Wren |
| Style | English Baroque |
| Years built | 1675–1711 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 518ft (158m) |
| Nave width | 121ft (37m) |
| Width across transepts | 246ft (75m) |
| Height | 365ft (111m) |
| Dome height (outer) | 278ft (85m) |
| Dome height (inner) | 225ft (68m) |
| Dome diameter (outer) | 112ft (34m) |
| Dome diameter (inner) | 102ft (31m) |
| Number of towers | 2 |
| Tower height | 221ft (67m) |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | London (since 604) |
| Province | Canterbury |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Richard Chartres |
| Dean | David Ison |
| Precentor | Michael Hampel |
| Canon Chancellor | Mark Oakley |
| Canon Pastor | Tricia Hillas |
| Canon Treasurer | Philippa Boardman |
| Laity | |
| Director of music | Andrew Carwood |
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is an Anglican cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of London and the mother church of the Diocese of London. It sits on Ludgate Hill at the highest point of the City of London and is a Grade 1 listed building. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. The present church, dating from the late 17th century, was designed in the English Baroque style by Sir Christopher Wren. Its construction, completed in Wren's lifetime, was part of a major rebuilding programme in the City after the Great Fire of London.
The cathedral is one of the most famous and most recognisable sights of London. Its dome, framed by the spires of Wren's City churches, dominated the skyline for 300 years. At 365 feet (111 m) high, it was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1967. The dome is among the highest in the world. St Paul's is the second-largest church building in area in the United Kingdom after Liverpool Cathedral.
St Paul's Cathedral occupies a significant place in the national identity. It is the central subject of much promotional material, as well as of images of the dome surrounded by the smoke and fire of the Blitz. Services held at St Paul's have included: the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Sir Winston Churchill, and Margaret Thatcher; jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria; peace services marking the end of the First and Second World Wars; the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, the launch of the Festival of Britain and the thanksgiving services for the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees and the 80th and 90th birthdays of Elizabeth II.
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