St Paul's Cathedral is the fourth church to stand on the site
Can you guess when the first church was founded? If you said in the seventh century, then you're definitely a history buff. It was built in 604 AD by St. Mellitus, the first Bishop of London after the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity and was constructed under the orders of King Aethelbert of Kent. It was probably a simple structure made of wood, nothing like the behemoth cathedral we know today.
The second church was built not long after in 675 AD. They upgraded this one to stone and gave it a lovely extension. It was dedicated to St. Paul, and was an important part of the early Christian community in London, remaining there until after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
A few decades later in 1087, William the Conqueror built a much larger and grander church which served as the primary cathedral for the Diocese of London for nearly 600 years. The church grew over time and became an important center of both religious and political life until it went up in flames during The Great Fire of London in 1666.
Sir Christopher Wren, an architect instrumental in rebuilding the city, designed the version that exists today. Construction began in 1675 and was completed in 1710. It seems like this one is the strongest out of all the iterations, surviving the Blitz during World War II, even when much of London was bombed. It remains one of London’s most famous landmarks.
The dome is one of the largest in the world
Inspired by the likes of the Roman Pantheon, St Paul's Cathedral boasts the second-biggest dome in the world at 366 feet high. If you want to see the largest dome, you'll have to hop over to Vatican City to visit St. Peter’s Basilica which was one of the main inspirations for Christopher Wren's design.
Scale hundreds of steps to the top and bask in the architecture (if you're not afraid of heights). One of the most fascinating features inside the dome is the Whispering Gallery, located 30 meters (98 feet) above the cathedral floor. Due to the perfect curvature of the walls, whispers can be heard clearly from the opposite side. Try it for yourself with a friend and see how quietly you can whisper to one another!
If your legs aren't hurting too much, you can climb a total of 528 steps to reach the Golden Gallery at the very top, which offers stunning panoramic views of London.
Dr Martin Luther King Jr. once gave a sermon at St Paul's Cathedral
Dr Martin Luther King Jr. once gave a sermon at St Paul's Cathedral
In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. was invited to speak by Canon John Collins, a prominent British clergyman known for his anti-apartheid activism and support for civil rights. The congregation totalled over three thousand, all packed into the cathedral. His visit came at a pivotal time in the civil rights movement, as he had just been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway, for his leadership in the struggle for racial equality in the United States.
Aside from being an activist, Martin Luther King was also a Baptist minister, and he spoke about three different approaches to life in a sermon now known as The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life. This was a sermon he had delivered many times before in different settings, but at St. Paul’s, it took on a unique power, connecting the British audience with the ongoing struggle for racial justice in the United States.
St Paul's art collection spans different art periods, all the way up to the present day
St Paul’s isn’t just an architectural masterpiece—it’s packed with incredible artwork from across the centuries. You’ve got the intricate Victorian mosaics wrapping around the walls, sitting alongside Henry Moore’s striking Madonna and Child sculpture, a modern twist on a classic religious theme. Then there are the more contemporary pieces, like Gerry Judah’s bold white crosses, which really make you stop and think, and Ian Hamilton Finlay’s neon L’étoile dans son étable de lumière, adding an unexpected glow to the cathedral’s historic interior. It’s a fascinating mix of old and new, and worth taking the time to explore.
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Sir Christopher Wren, the Cathedral's architect, was the first to be buried in its tombs
Sir Christopher Wren, the Cathedral's architect, was the first to be buried in its tombs
Laid to rest in 1723, the legendary British architect was buried inside his own masterpiece—St Paul’s itself. He was the first of many important figures to receive the honour. His epitaph, carved into the crypt, keeps things simple but powerful: Lector, si monumentum requiris—Latin for ‘If you seek his monument, look around’. In other words, his greatest legacy isn’t a grand tomb, but the cathedral towering above him.
Many famous British figures are honored in the Cathedral
A burial, memorial or funeral in St. Paul's still remains the highest national honor. Many artists, writers, politicians, humanitarians and more have been granted this prestige.
In terms of who's actually buried here, obviously Sir Christopher Wren is the first to mention. Apart from Chris, the poet and former Dean of St. Paul's John Donne was laid to rest here 1631 and his marble effigy miraculously survived the Great Fire of London.
Admiral Lord Nelson, Britain’s great naval hero killed at the Battle of Trafalgar, is buried in the crypt beneath the central dome in a grand sarcophagus. You know, the statue of the guy with the lions in Trafalgar Square.
Sir Alexander Fleming is also buried here. He discovered penicillin which revolutionised medicine, but was only given a modest grave in the crypt.
Popular people who are not buried here, but have dedicated memorials, include Florence Nightingale, William Blake, and J.M.W. Turner, and prime ministers Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher had funeral services held here. Naturally, St. Paul’s is often compared to Westminster Abbey when it comes to honoring historical greats, though the two places have their own unique traditions and legacies.
St. Paul's Cathedral has captured the imagination of artists and filmmakers worldwide
St. Paul's Cathedral has captured the imagination of artists and filmmakers worldwide
Depicted in artworks by famed artists such as Canaletto, Daubigny, Signac and Derain, St Paul's Cathedral has been a source of artistic inspiration since its construction. The Cathedral has also been featured in movies. Lawrence of Arabia, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Sherlock Holmes and Thor: The Dark World show the monument in all its glory. There's no better proof that it's an instantly recognisable icon of British heritage.
See if you can spot it in any of these films, or try and find more appearances!
Suffragettes planned to blow up the Bishop's throne in St. Pauls
Let us tell you about one of the more dramatic episodes in the suffragette movement’s fight for voting rights for women.
In 1913, suffragettes from the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), led by Emmeline Pankhurst, made a bold attempt to raise awareness for women's right to vote. They planted a bomb under the Bishop's throne at St Paul’s Cathedral, with the intention of drawing attention to their cause.
The bomb, however, failed to detonate, possibly due to a malfunction or because it wasn’t set to go off immediately (lucky for the Cathedral, maybe not so much for the suffragettes). The would-be explosion never occurred, and no one was harmed.
Women didn’t gain the right to vote until 1918, but this was only for women over the age of 30 who met certain property requirements. It wasn’t until 1928 that full voting equality was achieved, giving women equal voting rights with men at age 21.
St Paul's Cathedral hosts rotating art installations
St Paul’s Cathedral regularly hosts temporary art installations, showcasing works from renowned artists like Yoko Ono, Rebecca Horn, and Anthony Gormley. These installations are an exciting contrast to the cathedral’s timeless architecture, offering visitors a chance to explore a broad range of contemporary art alongside its rich historical collections. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or a history lover, there’s always something new and thought-provoking to discover.
Famous weddings at St. Pauls
Famous weddings at St. Pauls
St Paul’s Cathedral has been the backdrop for some truly famous weddings over the years. One of the most iconic was the 1981 marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, a global event that captured the hearts of millions. Diana’s fairytale gown and the grandeur of the ceremony were unforgettable.
Another notable wedding was that of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips in 1973, which, though more low-key than her siblings’ weddings, was still a major event at the time.
St Paul’s also hosted the wedding of Winston Churchill’s daughter, Diana, to Sir John Wheeler in 1936, another significant moment in British history.
While weddings at St Paul’s are not as frequent as royal funerals or state occasions, these ceremonies highlight the cathedral’s role in some of the most important moments in the nation’s history.
Wanna stretch those legs even more? Check out who's buried at Westminster Abbey, or discover more historical things to do in London.
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