St Paul’s Cathedral has reopened its Library to members of the public, after five years of restoration work starting in 2018. As part of the conservation project, St Paul’s has cleaned and packed the books and manuscripts, painted the walls, designed a new lighting scheme, constructed desks for readers and a new display case, along with numerous other changes. In total, the number of books and manuscripts that were cleaned, recorded, packed, moved off and back on-site is over 10,000.
Situated at Triforium level behind the south-west tower, St Paul’s Library was completed in 1709. Prior to the recent restoration project, the only significant modifications to this eighteenth-century space had been to install electrical lighting in 1902 and a heating system shortly after. The Library shelves had not been emptied since the Second World War, when their contents were transported to Wales for safe keeping during the Blitz. The refurbishment was made possible through the generous donations of a number of St Paul’s benefactors.
The Library’s collection was almost completely destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, but Sir Christopher Wren’s Library chamber was restocked by the Commisioners for rebuilding St Paul’s following the damage. St Paul’s was given rare Bibles and liturgical texts, and even received two thousand volumes from the Library of Henry Compton, the late Bishop of London in 1712.
Today the Library’s historical collection focuses on theology, church history and patristics (the study of early Christianity in the period stretching from the end of the New Testament to the early Middle Ages). The listings of the texts which are contained in the Library go as far back as 1313.
Members of the public can visit the Library through booking the Triforium tour of the Cathedral or by making an appointment to access the collections.
Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Very Revd Andrew Tremlett, commented:
“The Cathedral Library is a remarkable room, and remains one of Sir Christopher Wren’s great achievements. It is fitting that, as we mark 300 years since his death, his Library is able to reopen after five years of painstaking restoration.
“With books, manuscripts, Bibles and liturgical texts dating back hundreds of years, the newly restored Library will provide visitors and researchers with a deeper insight into church history and theology, inspiring new generations to engage with their relationship with the Christian faith.”
“We welcome all those across London and the globe to come and visit the Library and learn more about one of London’s best preserved 18th century interiors.”
