When most people think of St. Paul's Cathedral in London the image of Christopher Wren's magnificent classical church rises in their minds, but there was a cathedral dedicated to St. Paul long before the construction of Wren’s cathedral.
This paper is going to show how St. Paul’s Cathedral became what it is today and what a church can be apart from a place for sermons.
Cathedrals have always played more than one role in the communities they serve. Their central purpose is to bring people closer to God, but over the centuries they have served as a focal point for trade, as fortresses and sanctuaries in times of war, and as vast status symbols - reflections of wealth and power of the region in which they stand. These functions take on an additional significance for St Paul’s, the cathedral of the capital city and also of the nation.
Today’s Church belongs to the people of the nation. For example, every citizen can be married or have a funeral service in his or her parish church; priests can marry couples without the presence of a civil official; and the General Synod, the Church of England’s governing body, is the only organisation outside Parliament that has the power to legislate.
Cathedrals are perhaps the ultimate reflection of this inclusiveness. Unlike parish churches, which exist to minister to the people of the local area in which they stand, they are a route to God for the larger community - a place of celebration and mourning where feelings can be shared and the sheer scale and beauty of the architecture, services and music allows visitors to experience the serenity and spirituality that are an essential counterpoint to the bustle of everyday life.
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
2 THE HISTORY OF ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
2.1 GENERAL TIMELINE OF EVENTS
2.2 FIRST ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
2.3 SECOND ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
2.4 THIRD AND FOURTH ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
2.4.1 THE PRECINCTS OF OLD ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
2.4.2 RESTORATION WORK
2.4.3 THE GREAT FIRE
2.5 FIFTH ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
2.5.1 SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN
2.5.2 NEW ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
2.5.3 BOMBINGS IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
3 TODAY’S ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the historical evolution of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, tracing its development from ancient religious sites to the iconic structure designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It explores how the cathedral serves as more than just a place of worship, functioning as a cultural, historical, and national landmark throughout centuries of urban change.
- Historical timeline and transformation of the cathedral site.
- The architectural legacy and design process of Sir Christopher Wren.
- The impact of catastrophic events, including the Great Fire and the Blitz, on the structure.
- The shifting social roles of the cathedral from medieval times to the present day.
- Modern integration of the cathedral into contemporary urban life and tourism.
Excerpt from the Book
2.4.3 The Great Fire
In the hot summer of 1666 the wooden houses of the City of London became dry as tinderboxes. On the night of the 2nd of September, a small fire broke out in the premises of the bake shop of the royal baker in Pudding Lane, because of the carelessness of a maid or because a neglected oven.
As a result of the unusually strong wind, the flames spread quickly and soon the whole building, as well as the adjoining properties, was alight. Among the adjoining houses were riverside warehouses and wharves, packed with combustible timber, spare, ropes and barrels of tare and turpentine.
One reason for the catastrophic results in the end was the slow reaction of the City authorities. Until Samuel Pepys informed the King about the dimensions of the fire, nothing was done to extinguish the fire. At this moment Charles gave order to pull down houses as fire-breakers, but it was already too late.
The Great Fire burned for four days and nights. 80% of the city were destroyed, 13,200 houses and 87 parish churches were gone, as well as Old St Paul’s. It was a disaster of unprecedented proportions. Miraculously, fewer than 20 people lost their lives.
Summary of Chapters
1 INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces St. Paul’s Cathedral as a significant national landmark and outlines the paper's goal to explore its multifaceted role beyond religious sermons.
2 THE HISTORY OF ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL: This section provides an extensive historical overview, documenting the various iterations of the cathedral, the architectural influence of Sir Christopher Wren, and major historical challenges like the Great Fire and World War II.
3 TODAY’S ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL: This concluding chapter examines how the cathedral has adapted to modern demands, serving as both an active place of worship and a contemporary venue for business and tourism.
Keywords
St. Paul's Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren, London History, Great Fire of London, Architecture, Blitz, World War II, Church of England, Ecclesiastical History, Urban Experience, Cathedral Design, Restoration, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, Religious Landmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work provides a historical and architectural analysis of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, detailing its transformation from its earliest origins to its current status as a global icon.
Which historical periods are covered?
The scope ranges from the Roman period and the early Middle Ages through the 17th-century reconstruction to the challenges faced during the Second World War and its modern-day usage.
Who is the central figure in the architectural narrative?
Sir Christopher Wren is the central figure, as the paper details his visionary plans, the rejection of his early designs, and the engineering feats required to build the current cathedral.
What methodology is used to describe the cathedral's development?
The study utilizes a chronological historical narrative supported by academic literature, archival accounts, and visual documentation to illustrate the site's evolution.
What role did the Great Fire of 1666 play in the cathedral's history?
The fire was the primary catalyst for the destruction of the medieval "Old St. Paul’s," which directly necessitated the commissioning and construction of the present-day fifth cathedral.
How is the cathedral used in the modern era?
Beyond its religious function, the cathedral now incorporates modern amenities like conference rooms, a café, and a restaurant, making it an integrated part of 21st-century urban life.
What is the significance of the "Resurgam" inscription mentioned in the text?
It means "I will rise again" and was inspired by a fragment of an old tombstone found during construction, symbolizing the cathedral's resilience after the Great Fire.
How did the cathedral survive the bombings of the Second World War?
Despite the high-intensity bombing during the Blitz, the cathedral remained largely intact due to the dedicated efforts of the "St. Paul’s Watch" volunteers who protected it from fire damage.
- Citar trabajo
- Silke Lübbert (Autor), 2004, St. Paul's Cathedral from past to present, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/74264
