St Paul's
The House
The House system in St Andrew's was inaugurated in 1953 with just three Houses - Canterbury, Salisbury and York. St Paul's was established 10 years later in 1963. The first house captain was A Liddle. In 1969 St Paul's took out their first inter-house competition and the House has won the Dean Pitt Shield many times since.
The Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral is one of the world's most famous centres of Christian worship, liturgical values and choral traditions. The first structure was build on the current site in 604AD but subsequent sackings of London by the Vikings meant the structure was rebuilt in 962. After further rebuilding in 1310 the building was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666.
The present Cathedral was designed by the famed English architect Sir Christopher Wren. Construction commenced in 1675. The Cathedral was completed by December 1697 which was a remarkable achievement for a building of such magnitude.
The well known anthem I was glad when they said unto me was written by John Blow, Minister of the Choristers, to mark the Cathedrall opening. The Cathedral symbolises the architectural genius of Wren as the structure has remained relatively unchanged through to the present day despite the encroachment of its nearby commercial surroundings.
The huge dome of St Paul's, a London landmark for the past three centuries, is modelled along the lines of the famous St Peter's Basilica in Rome. One of the largest in the world, the Dome weights 65,000 tonnes.
St Paul's Cathedral has become an inspiration to the British people, especially during the Second World War. The Cathedral miraculously escaped major bomb damage throughout the German Blitz whilst surrounding buildings were reduced to rubble. The image of St Paul's framed by smoke and fire became a symbol of the nation's indomitable wartime spirit.
The present building is the first cathedral to have been built since the creation of the Church of England in 1534 when religion was brought under the direct control of the monarch.
In England, the Pope's refusal to grant Henry VIII a divorce from his first wife became the trigger for a reformation that linked Church and State inextricably under the leadership of the monarch, who is also Defender of the Faith.
For many decades the Cathedral has hosted numerous civic events and Royal Family occasions - none more celebrated than the marriage of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer. In 1997 the Cathedral celebrated its 300th birthday.
St Paul's Cathedral Choir School
The St Paul's Cathedral Choir School was founded in 1127 when provision was made for eight boys in need of alms to serve as almonry boys to the Cathedral. Evidence is recorded that Gregorian chant or plainsong was being sung in the first St Paul's structure and its Song School from about 604AD.
The choristers retain the Cathedral's rich musical heritage. In 1989 non-chorister dayboys were enrolled for the first time and in 1998 the school admitted girls into its new pre-prepatory department.
