Annual Service of Thanksgiving for the Lord Mayor
5th November 2018The Annual Service of Thanksgiving takes place at St Stephen Walbrook, the church closest to Mansion House. The Service gives thanks for the works and achievements of the Lord Mayor at the end of his or her term of office. In this case it was for Alderman Charles Bowman supported by the new Sheriffs, Vincent Keaveny and Liz Green.
The church has a long and interesting history dating back to the end of Roman rule. However, its current form dates back to 1672 when it was designed and built by Sir Christopher Wren. The construction of its dome was a trial run for the dome at his masterpiece, St Paul's Cathedral.
The interior of the church is unusual in that its layout is essentially based on a square and its ornamented classical style is symmetrical. Whilst the pews and altar were historically laid out in traditional fashion, today the altar is central under the dome on a circular dais. The altar itself is also round and was designed and installed by sculptor Henry Moore during the extensive repairs to the building following World War II. The banks of pews are curved to encircle the altar which makes participation in a service much more intimate.
The Service was lead by the church vicar, Rev'd Stephen Baxter, with an address by the Lord Mayor's personal chaplain, Rev'd George Bush, and a reading by our Company's Honorary Chaplain, Rev'd Canon David Parrott.