ANNUAL REPORT 2023
ST STEPHEN WALBROOK
Registered Charity 1130738
- 2023 Report of the Parish Priest Revd Stephen Baxter
W e had much to celebrate at
St Stephen Walbrook during 2023 and we were delighted to welcome many new visitors to the church for the programme of celebratory events
commemorating the 350[th] year of the start of the building of Wren’s church, the 300[th] anniversary of Wren’s death and the 70[th] anniversary of the founding of Samaritans.
Particular highlights included:
Festal Eucharist on 21[st] February with Bishop Nick Holtam preaching
Three concerts by The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Hundreds of school children visiting the church as part of the Wren300 schools programme
The Wren Conversation produced by The World Monuments Fund including contributions from leading architects on 22[nd] March
Hosting the Awards Dinner for the London Design Festival and the commissioning and installation of Halo created by the artist and engineer Moritz Waldemeyer
Choral Evensong on 2[nd] November, the 70[th] anniversary of the creation of Samaritans by Chad Varah, with Bishop Sarah preaching.
As always, I am deeply grateful to the whole community of the church for all the diverse forms of support and encouragement through this extraordinary year
and the especially because the extra demands these celebrations have made. Heartfelt thanks are very much due to all who have attended events, made crucial financial donations and volunteered support to the running and management of the church and its activities.
We continue to revel in a wonderful and increasingly diverse of music with the rich musical partnerships with St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Walbrook Music Trust being the key foundations. We have enjoyed an amazing array of recitals and musical performances and we have increased the frequency of our Rush Hour Jazz recitals which bring in a different audience to the church.
With a mixture of joy, pride and sadness we said farewell to thanks to our immensely gifted ordinand, Phillip Dawson, who has contributed to in so many ways to the church for six years. Following his ordination in July, he began a full-time curacy at St Giles-inthe-Fields, and so we are able to keep in touch. Later in the year we warmly welcomed Professor Jenny Gallagher on a year’s placement at the church as she continues her theological training and discernment about how she is being called to serve the church.
Numbers working in and visiting then City have continued to increase throughout the year with many of our neighbouring firms increasing their requirements for physical attendance by staff and Thursday evenings in the City have become especially busy. We continue to benefit from the publicity surrounding the Wren300 celebrations, the proximity of the Mithraeum and the new bars and restaurants opened close to the church.
Regular worship in church
T he central service of worship remains the Choral Eucharist at 12.45pm on Thursdays followed by refreshments. We are encouraged that attendance steadily grows and helps to boost the worshipping and engaged community of the church.
Our worship continues to benefit from the magnificent talents of the Choral Scholars, Conductors, Organists and also the St Stephen Voices who sing when the Scholars are on holiday. The widely appreciated contributions of our musicians are a tribute to our wonderful and creative Director of Music, Dr Andrew Earis.
Choral Classics featuring music and readings based on a seasonal theme have been performed throughout the year during term time by the Choral Scholars at 12.45pm on Wednesdays. Choral Evensong occurs monthly with the Choral Scholars at 5.45pm, again in term time, and in addition we have held a number of contemplative Jazz Evensongs with the band Grace Notes.
Regular online worship
H aving developed the community connecting with the church during the Pandemic through provision of online services, we are committed to continuing this aspect of the church’s activities. Choral Eucharist, Choral Classics and certain special services are recorded as a video and made available each week on the church’s website and YouTube channel. This recording capability has been enhanced by the installation of video cameras linked to the sound system
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...So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 1 Cor 3: 5-7
which was enabled by a very generous grant from the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund of the Corporation of London, to whom we are most grateful.
We continue to hold Morning Prayer following the Book of Common Prayer by conference call on Wednesday mornings, attracting a faithful band of followers from different parts of the UK. In addition, Compline, study groups and the opportunity for conversation have been consistently available on a weekday evening by Zoom.
Our online activities follow the example of the pioneering work of the London Internet Church created at the church in 2007 by Archdeacon Peter Delaney and Bishop Richard Chartres. Through the work of the London Internet Church Morning and Evening Prayer are available every day.
Special Services
I t is always a great privilege to hold special celebratory and commemorative services at the church. During 2023 we held an array of baptisms, weddings and memorial services as well as services for livery companies. We were delighted that we were able to hold the Thanksgiving Service and Reception for the Lord Mayor, Alderman Nicholas Lyons, in November to celebrate his service to the City, as well as both the Candlemas and Election Services for our patrons, the Worshipful Company of Grocers, in the year when our Churchwarden and most dedicated servant of the City, James
Thomson, was Master Grocer. We also hosted several more Christmas Carol Services than in previous years for various companies, colleges, schools, charities and livery companies and guilds, including, for the first time, our other patrons, Magdalene College, Cambridge.
Concerts and recitals
T he Walbrook Music Trust recitals featuring many incredibly gifted students from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Friday Organ Recitals performed by a distinguished array of international recitalists have happily become reestablished. We have started a monthly Thursday early evening Rush-Hour Jazz which is growing in momentum with very encouraging numbers of people who are new to the church popping in to hear brilliantly performed jazz underneath Wren’s dome. We have also hosted a number of other musical and dramatic events which we intend to develop, particularly aimed at early evening audiences.
The Future
T he events surrounding the anniversaries in 2023 have helped to develop wider awareness of the church and its activities and we are determined to build on this. We have benefited from the expertise of the team at Work with Milan in the wider promotion of the church’s potential and the preparation of the church as a venue for varied events that accord with the ethos and mission of the church, We have started to experience the fruits of
this support with a number of new events in early 2024 bringing in new audiences to the church.
A s set out the report of John Seagrim, our incredibly dedicated and resourceful Churchwarden responsible for Fabric, we expect the church to be closed for repairs and improvements for five months in mid -2024. Our activities will continue at other City churches that have so very generously offered to support us. While this is clearly a disruption in the life of the church, we look forward to the benefits of significantly improved facilities and the opportunity to host a series of re -opening events.
Through these activities and the inspiring support for the church from so many I very much look forward to the church’s diverse contribution to the mission of Jesus Christ in this great City and beyond in the year ahead.
Revd Stephen Baxter, Parish Priest
2024
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Ministry of Service
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Lee Fitzgerald
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Elizabeth Maragh
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Phillip Dawson
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Jenny Gallagher
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| Report of the Parish Priest by Revd Stephen Baxter | 2-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry: Outreach & Community | 5 | |
| Ministry: Services | 6-9 | |
| C | Civic Community | 10 |
| O | Ministry Anniversaries |
11-12 |
| N | Music & Events |
13-16 |
| T | Corporate Events | 17 |
| E | Art Installatons | 18 |
| N | Communicatons |
19-20 |
| T | Fabric & Buildings | 21-22 |
| S | Giving to the Church Financial Report |
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On placement at St Stephen Walbrook
Jenny Gallagher has joined us on placement with us until next summer. She will continue in her role as Professor of Dental Oral Health Strategy at King's London while she continues her technological training.
Corporate Events Team - WorkwithMilan PR & Events Consultancy
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Rose Frances
Milan Thakrar
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S pecialist Events Consultancy WorkwithMilan began working with us during 2023 to further develop our events outreach and planning and to streamline our corporate events outreach. With over 15 years experience in the events industry, Work With Milan supports clients to gain commercial growth through creative sales and marketing strategy. Milan and Rose’s excellent experience of working in heritage venues and luxury events has already proved invaluable to St Stephen Walbrook through the organisation of several events throughout the year from photoshoots to the design and production of new brochures. They have undertaken the management an initiation of a number of key events and have also streamlined the process for on boarding corporate events and strategically placed St Stephen Walbrook on a number of event websites that are steadily providing positive business leads. We look forward to our continued partnership in 2024.
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Ministry - Outreach & Community
S tart:Stop provides vital resource to early morning commuters who wished to have a short period of reflection before going on to their places of work. We are now reviewing how to continue providing a ministry of this kind that chimes with new patterns of work in the City.
Chat & Compline
Held at 6.30pm on Wednesday or Thursday evenings and hosted by Meg Post (Pictured), Chat and Compline (by Zoom video conference) has provided a safe platform for people to worship from Dubai to Europe and Australia, and has generated a loyal core of attendees. Welcoming chat is followed by a brief service of Compline (Night Prayer).
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Wednesday Morning Prayer
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M orning Prayer by telephone is held weekly on Wednesdays, from 9am to 9.25am . It has continued to grow and now comprises a loyal
gathering from all parts of the country. It is mostly lead by either Rev. Stephen or Phillip Dawson (Ordinand) with Elizabeth Maragh and Phillip Dunne taking either readings or intercessions. Many find it a peaceful start to the day.
T he Salvation Church was developed from a youth group in a long-established ministry that reaches out to the Chinese community predominantly in London. Since moving to St Stephen Walbrook, we have become an independent congregation, remaining in fellowship with our sister churches and the wider Elim Pentecostal family. Our ministries include group meetings, fellowship evening, study and prayer meetings.
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Ministry - Services
T he regular Weekly Service has remained popular and well attended throughout the year. The Choral Eucharist, takes place every Thursday from 12.45pm for 45 minutes followed by a light lunch for those rushing back to the office. Officiated by Rev. Stephen, a loyal group of regular church members participate in readings and prayers while Rev. Roger Hoath, Rev. Jim Rosenthal and Ordinand Phillip Dawson participate in preaching duties as well.
This year we welcomed Jenny Gallagher to St Stephen Walbrook as our licensed Minister. Jenny joined us on placement for a year.
Along with our faithful congregation who attend each week, the Service enables workers in the City to pop over to the church for the Service, during their lunch break. During 2023 we have seen an encouraging rise in numbers of people attending as numbers of workers and tourists increase in the City. On average around 40/5 people attend the weekly Choral Eucharist service.
C horal Evensong is held every third Wednesday at 5.45pm officiated by Ordinand Phillip Dawson, Rev. Stephen or Licensed minister, Jenny Gallagher. At around 25 maximum, numbers are small but steady and often fluctuate according events in the church calendar such as Easter etc.
G race Notes : This year also saw the start of an innovative approach to Evensong with a more relaxed and contemporary feel, run by musician, Jedd Walker, it respectfully combines readings a liturgy with tones of jazz influenced music. We hope it will encourage those who are less at home with more formal styles of worship but who might be drawn in by this style and pace of Service.
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Ministry - Services
O ur regular special services were held to mark and celebrate: Candlemas, Ash Wednesday, The Easter Vigil and First Communion after Easter. All events were very well attended by church members, guests and passing tourists. In particular the blazing fire of the Easter Vigil always proves an awe-inspiring spectacle. Those attending commented on the special atmosphere created by the liturgy and music and the closeness to the divinity experienced by those renewing their baptismal vows. At the end to the service the serving of hot cross buns and prosecco provided a joyful finishing touch to a truly spiritual and touching service. This year the service was livestreamed to the St Stephen Walbrook YouTube channel.
We were also privileged to have the Worshipful Company of Grocers hold its annual Candlemas at St Stephen Walbrook this year.
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CANDLEMAS
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ASH WEDNESDAY
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EASTER VIGIL
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Ministry - Services
R emembrance Day was observed as David Atterbury Thomas, St Stephen Walbrook church warden Nick Edelshain, former Marine and regular church member laid commemorative wreaths at the foot of the altar whilst Katie Lodge played the Last Post on trumpet.
I n May, this year we held the funeral of Melvyn Gwynne Jeremiah CB, JP, FRSA, HonHFS, who has been a diligent, committed servant of the country, the City and our church. As a former church warden, he made significant contributions to St Stephen Walbrook across nearly every aspect of the church both on the Church Council and as a devout member of the church. He had a fondness for history and was often called upon to clarify facts related to the church going back centuries—such was his love of St Stephen Walbrook. We greatly miss his wisdom, deep knowledge and sense of humour.
W e also suffered the loss of another loyal church member, Viktor Zagon. As a child Viktor narrowly evaded a Nazi attack in his village in Hungary - literally escaping through the back as they entered the front of the building. A long-time member of St Stephen Walbrook church and faithful Server at the altar, Viktor would often arrive early for the Eucharist and settle down to his favourite hobby of sketching. His wry humour and observations on life will be sorely missed..
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Ministry - Services
Christmas service & blessing of the crib—over 300 people attended the service with standing room only at the back. 250 stayed after for mulled wine and mince pies.
C hristmas is a special time at St Stephen Walbrook and we have experienced increased interest from local companies and charities wishing to hold their Christmas carol services at the church. This year we hosted a Service every evening of December up to 21st December from companies and charities such as: The Manorial Society; Evershed Sutherland; The charity, Samaritans; Haileybury School; The Harrow Association for Harrow School; Michael Varah Memorial Fund Charity; CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP; Guild of Freemen; Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors; Magdalene College, Cambridge; Christ’s Hospital Foundation; Columbia Threadneedle. Christmas services are so popular that regular clients rebook again by January! Christmas bookings now start from mid-November.
Younger members of the congregation lay the baby Jesus into his crib to signify his arrival to the world
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Civic Community
A number of prestigious Civic events were held at St Stephen Walbrook this year:
The Grocers’ Company Candlemas Service was held in February and then their Election Service in July where James Thomson, our church warden and then Master of the Grocers’ relinquished his year in office to the next elected Master, Sir Charles Bowman. (3rd from top)
In March we held the investiture of the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor as an honorary church warden of St Stephen Walbrook. The short service is held in the ornate rooms of Mansion House, attended by all eight church wardens. Clergy and church staff. (Top pic)
In July, the Chartered Secretaries and Accountants held their Company service prior to a formal luncheon.
T he final civic event of the year was the Thanksgiving service for the work of the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor in the City hosted by St Stephen Walbrook in the company of close to 300 Liveries and other invited guests and members of the public. The sermon was taken by Revd Katherine Hedderly, Chaplain to the Lord Mayor & Vicar of All Hallows by the Tower and Area Dean for the City of London.
The Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Accountants led in by the Beadle.
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Ministry—Anniversaries
A joyful Festal Eucharist celebrating the anniversary of the Founding of St Stephen Walbrook & Sir Christopher Wren's Tercentenary in February was held at which we were delighted to welcome The Right Reverend Nicholas Holtam, former Bishop of Salisbury and former Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields as our preacher for the evening. The Choral Scholars provided sparkling music, directed by Dr Andrew Earis and accompanied by Phoebe Tak Man Chow, Organ scholar. The Community Choir also performed, directed by Tom Shorter.
We are indebted to Bishop Nicholas Holtam for his wise words and to Luka Pajovic for his address on the global significance of this building, its concept, design and construction. There is an opportunity to watch the Service again on the St Stephen Walbrook YouTube channel from this link https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=NQipdcV2Df8 - or just search in YouTube for St Stephen Walbrook.
70th Anniversary of Samaritans
The 70th anniversary of Samaritans was marked at St Stephen Walbrook by a special service and reception at which we were delighted to have The Rt Revd and Rt Hon. Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Lord Bishop of London speaking along with a series of readings and reflections from the Varah family and Samaritan volunteers. The memorable evening was further uplifted by beautiful singing from the Choral Scholars accompanied by organ scholar, Phoebe Tak Man Chow.
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Ministry - Anniversaries
Wren 300—Schools celebrate Tercentenary with visits to St Stephen Walbrook
T hroughout 2023 we have been delighted to welcome hundreds of students from across London into the church as part of our ongoing celebrations of the Tercentenary of the death of Sir Christopher Wren. The students took part in music workshops led by Richard Quesnel, Director of Music at the City of London School and paper cutting workshops led by artist Chloe Campbell, inspired by the church – Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece!
T he Diocese of London also joined forces with schools around London to introduce them to St Stephen Walbrook and other Wren churches in the city of London as part of their KS2 studies. Twenty schools visited the church to enjoy fun activities whilst learning more about both the church and its most famous church member.
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Music & Events
The Walbrook Music Trust Tuesday Chamber Concerts
2023 marked the fifteenth anniversary of the founding of The Walbrook Music Trust (WMT), the independent charity that was founded in 2007 with the initial intention of performing every one of Handel’s organ concertos and which is responsible for the Church’s regular Tuesday lunchtime recital series. In 2023 the WMT staged 45 chamber concerts to audiences that regularly numbered over 50 during the year. All the concerts were staged free of charge, lasted a short hour and as ever attracted an incredibly high calibre of performer, many of whom are graduates from the Guildhall School of Music. The musicians all brilliantly performed for no fee and all the costs of staging the concerts were met by the charity and its trustees – the upshot being that again all of the retiring collections, which in 2023 came to over £3,000, were deservedly paid into church funds. The Impressaria of this successful weekly event is Molly Adams, herself an exceptional mezzo soprano, who organises all the bookings of the concerts and the preparation of all the concert programmes. Elizabeth Maragh expertly printed the latter and when I was unavailable, became concert compere – elegantly introducing the performers and with equal elegance soliciting donations from the departing audience for the retiring collection. The concerts are successfully promoted by Trevor Rowe our masterful web
master, and Edward Adams in his the role as musical director has been as ever, our all-round guiding light. All of the trustees labour tirelessly for no fee but for their passion for music and their love of St Stephen Walbrook, and I would like to thank them all. To have established the Tuesday recital series with such a high calibre of performer and such an enthusiastic, regular and growing audience has been no mean feat, and I salute all those involved! With the enduring commitment of the Trustees, the magnificence and startling acoustic of Wren’s greatest inferior, the beneficence of the talented musicians and the enthusiasm of the audience, together with the considerable talents of the Church’s administrator Elizabeth Maragh, the engaging willingness of the ever helpful verger, Lee Fitzgerald, and the considerable encouragement of Stephen Baxter, our remarkable rector, I see every reason for the Walbrook Music Trust to continue staging these high quality concerts in St Stephen Walbrook for many years to come.
John Seagrim, Chairman and Founder.
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Music & Events
St Stephen Walbrook Organ Recitals
O ur Friday Organ recital series has been providing weekly recitals for over fifty years. We have seen audiences increase as the year has progressed and we are grateful for all the organists who participate in this series and appreciate their immense professionalism and unwavering support. Many would
command much higher fees if they were performing elsewhere but they choose to come here for the love of our church, for music and their art. The recitals remain free of charge with a retiring collection at the end where we hope we will meet the £50 fee we offer all organists as a token of our gratitude.
We are grateful to the following musicians who regularly support the organ recital series.
Most organ recitals can be watched on YouTube on the St Stephen Walbrook channel under ‘Live’.
THE MUSICIANS
Michael Nicholas Jack McCabe Dr Michal Szostak William Saunders David Cook (Right Pic) John Webber Kai Krakenburg Kayol Lam Jonathan Bunney Stephen King (Top Pic) Anthony Gritten Emmanuel Duperrey David Bednall Geoff Tuson Phoebe TM Chow William Peart Marnus Greyling Anthony Gritten Charles Wooler Dr SJ Stokes Douglas Tang Andreana Chan Philip Berg Emmanuel Duperrey Matthew Blaiden James Norrey Mark Brafield Hugh Rowland Timara Easter Pavlos Triantaris Michael Nicholas Yvette Murphy Andrea Albertin Sir Andrew Parmley Jonathan Lilley
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Music & Events
S ince its inception by Phillip Dawson, Ordinand at St Stephen Walbrook, Rush Hour Jazz has built a steady following supplemented by many delighted workers and tourists alike who discover it on their way home or to an evening out. The concerts are free and paid for refreshments are available. Phillip started the first Rush Hour Jazz session with Ri Ri and the WBs (See right pic) and since then it has exploded in popularity among young artistes to the extent that there is now a waiting list for would-be performers.
M arking the 300 anniversary of Sir Christopher Wren a Tercentenary Festival with The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment was held over three days in April . Together with St Stephen Walbrook the OAE joined forces to present a three-part festival of music commemorating the church’s architect, Sir Christopher Wren. The festival offered a snapshot of musical life at the point of Wren’s death, three hundred years ago in 1723. The OAE is a pioneering orchestra of specialists on historical instruments founded in 1986. Performing repertoire on instruments (or replicas) from the time the music was written—with no music director the musicians call the shots and conduct themselves!
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Orchestra of the Age of the Enlightenment
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Music & Events
S t Stephen Walbrook is much sought after as a place for leading amateur and professional choirs to hold regular rehearsals or one-off concerts. This year choirs have included: Invicta Voices; Chandos Chamber Choir (Every week); The Choral Scholars; Lilium Convallium; The London Oriana Choir and the Wren300 City Music initiative with office Choirs.
In June our Choral Scholars performed the world premiere of ‘Celebrating Women in the Bible, a concert curated by now Rev Phillip Dawson, previously Ordinand at this church.
E ach Wednesday afternoon we run our own community choir: Stephen Walbrook Community Choir. Numbers have increased this year and typically around 14—18 local employees gather each week to sing a range of religious and secular music, directed by director and musician, Jonathan Dods and at times, Tom Shorter .
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St Stephen Community Choir
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Chandos Chamber Choir rehearse each Tuesday
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Corporate events
[C ][orporate events are beginning to accelerate at St ] Stephen Walbrook. The first, initiated by Phillip Dawson was a client formal cocktail and presentation evening for FBM Architects. Church pews were
removed and atmospheric lighting placed around the altar. WorkwithMilan Events also organised an event to tie in with British Tourism Week. Graced by Nick De Bois (MBE), Chair of Visit Britain, the evening offered top travel and tourism professionals a first hand glimpse into Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece .
o ur piece de resistance for the year arrived via John Seagrim, our Church Warden in charge of Fabric , who via a close contact at the London Design Week proposed our church as hosts of the very prestigious London Design Festival Dinner and Medals Award ceremony. WorkwithMilan Events worked closely with London Design Festival to manage the incredibly complex arrangements to facilitate a three course dinner for 150 leaders-in-design, and the launch of the unique, awe-inspiring light installation, HALO by celebrated designer Moritz Waldemeyer.
FBM Architects Client Event
Launch of private tours at SSW (by WorkwithMilan)
London Design Festival Dinner and Medal Awards Event
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Art Installations
T he spectacular light installation, Halo by Moritz Waldemayer, commissioned by the London Design Festival, generated a large influx of visitors and much comment.
A pendulum slowly circles the altar whilst a light ascends and descends via a perspex cord, guiding the viewers eyes to the top of the dome where projected lights emulate the Aurora Borealis to striking effect.
The photograph on the right was taken by the artist using a long exposure on the camera covering the ninesecond circuit of the pendulum.
The installation has proved a hit with regular visitors and tourists to the church with many commenting on the mesmerising nature of the light and the feeling of calm it engendered.
W e were approached by Ukrainian artist, Oksana Kondratyeva to house this glorious stained glass Mother & Child exhibit from the very talented Ukrainian artist, Oksana Kondratyeva . It was on display from November to the beginning of 2024 before moving on to its next home.
Mother and Child is a stained glass sculpture, illustrating a universal theme of love. Made using the traditional stained glass technique of acidetching and painting, it reveals the beauty of Mediaeval craft which this year has been listed as ‘endangered’ by the British Heritage Crafts.
In addition to the exhibit, Oksana also created gift cards for people to purchase to raise funds for the church.
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[Communications ]
T hanks to a substantial grant Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund of the Corporation of London, we have now installed new equipment to enable the remote recording and broadcast of services and events from the church either as a stand alone recording or to be broadcast to the St Stephen Walbrook channel on YouTube (See bottom pic). This has proven invaluable for sharing our services and events online to those unable to attend in person and has been used for several high profile events, funerals and memorials.
O ur YouTube Channel has 150 subscribers. Videos of the Eucharist and Choral Classics were watched by between 50 and 100 people each week (in addition to views on Facebook).
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Communications
Leaflets, Posters and Noticeboards
Leaflets, posters still remain an important communication channel and are placed in the church to publicise events and also handed to visitors to take away.
Where to find St Stephen Walbrook on Social Media Website htps://ststephenwalbrook.net/ Facebook htps://www.facebook.com/ststephenec4n/ Twitter htps://twiter.com/StStephenEC4N
- Instagram htps://www.instagram.com/ststephenwalbrook/
Linked-In htps://www.linkedin.com/company/st-stephen-walbrook/
YouTube htps://www.youtube.com/c/StStephenWalbrook
Our events are also listed on the website throughout the year.
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Buildings and Fabric
F abric developments in 2023 were very largely concerned with assessing, planning and finalizing the extensive programme of building works that will allow St Stephen Walbrook to properly reattain the pristine glory which Wren’s magnificent interior so richly and rightly deserves. The extensive building project is the culmination of three years of exhaustive surveys and assessments to ascertain the damage to the Church and the Tower that has been suffered as a result of more recent ground movements.
All surveys and assessments have now been completed, all damage identified, all remedial work specified and the tender process now successfully completed, with the actual repair work due to begin in the Spring of 2024.
Major Works
The major works, which will involve the closure of the Church for five months, comprise three distinct elements.
The first element is the repairs to and refurbishment of the main body of the church. These will include remedial repairs to the roofs, parapet walls and guttering; repairing and if necessary re-securing the iron frames, the panes and lead cames of the Church’s arched, bullseye and clerestory windows; securing and repairing the extensive cracking, most in evidence towards the west end, that can be seen both in the stone exterior and more visibly in the interior plaster work; resetting the wall monuments where necessary; repairing and partly relaying the limestone floor; and redecorating all the walls, flanks and embrasures of the interior.
The second element comprises the structural repairs to the tower. These will include remedial repairs to the tower roof and spire; securing and repairing the extensive cracking both internal and external in the tower walls; the installation of a new fire alarm system; and most dramatically the construction of a large interior steel frame at the uppermost level of the tower directly beneath the bell loft in
order to reinforce the entire tower structure.
The third element is the redevelopment of crypt. The two existing loos will be refurbished to a high standard and two new loos, one with changing facilities and a disabled access width door, together with a ventilated kitchen facility will be installed, allowing the Church to hold events commensurate with the magnificence of its Wren’s interior.
These three elements are to be run concurrently so as to save cost and in an attempt minimize what will already be considerable disruption to the Church‘s life and activities in 2024.
The funding for these extensive works are partly being met by a generous contribution from Bloomberg LP, by the Benjamin West Fund and what is hoped will be a successful grant application to the City Churches Grants Committee, the application for which is earnestly in progress.
This has been and remains a simply huge undertaking, but we couldn’t have done it without Bloomberg LP, which have been quite exemplary in their treatment of their ancient neighbor, and I am enormously grateful to both Peter Smith, head of Bloomberg global property, for helping us expedite
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Buildings and Fabric
this inevitably protracted process, and to Bloomberg LP for their generous contribution to the funding of the project.
I would also like to pay particularly tribute to the church architect, the inspiring Oliver Caroe and his colleagues Touseer Ahmad, Alice Milligan and Mathew Cox; to David Rathbone, the structural surveyor from Alan Baxter who understands the church structure and fabric better than any other; and to Geoffrey Stallard, the quantity surveyor from Huntley Cartwright who has
latterly has been instrumental in shaping and bringing the tender process to a very successful conclusion.
All the above, together with many others undeservedly named here have given St Stephen Walbrook the inestimable care and sensitive attention that it so deserves, and I on behalf of the PCC am immeasurably grateful to all of them.
John Seagrim, Fabric warden
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Giving to the Church
Income from cash and card donations
Donations to the church from individuals come via one of a number of different ways:
(*) Cash harvested from the two donations boxes primarily coming from visitors and tourists
(*) Money collected during services and special events some of which is placed in Gift Aid envelopes
(*) Contactless donations (credit and debit cards) received mainly during services and special events using our handheld “tapping machines”
(*) Contactless donations (credit and debit cards) received using the floor-mounted electronic “GoodBox” next to the main entrance door
(*) Donations made online via our website; these can be either “one off” or monthly/ weekly
(*) Monthly donations processed via bank mandate (standing orders); currently we have 17 such active donors raising £508 per month
(*) Our GiftAid scheme produces an additional 25% of revenue from two sources: (1) people who fill out a GiftAid envelope when they make a donation in-church and (2) any donations received online provided the giver has approved the addition of GiftAid
Contactless (card) donations summary:
Calendar 2022 … £ 15,200 Calendar 2023 … £ 17,900 GiftAid reclaimed: Calendar 2022 … £ 12,100 Calendar 2023 … £ 10,600 (*)
(*) drop is due to filing during late 2022 rather than in 2023
Paul de Ridder , Finance volunteer
Friends of St Stephen Walbrook
At present we have a database of around 600 friends, comprising individuals and companies, of the church whom we keep in contact with throughout the year for services, events and special announcements. Many have been supporters of the church for a number of years and some more recently, following weddings or baptisms.
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ST STEPHEN WALBROOK REPORT
&
ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2023
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The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Stephen Walbrook
St Stephen Walbrook Annual Report and Accounts 2023
Parish
Saint Stephen Walbrook 39 Walbrook London EC4N 8BN Telephone: 020 7262 9000 www.ststephenwalbrook.net Priest in Charge The Revd. Stephen Baxter Staff Members Lee Fitzgerald, Verger Elizabeth Maragh, Finance and General Administrator PCC Members Revd. Stephen Baxter John Garbutt (Church Warden, Lay Chairman) David Atterbury Thomas (Church Warden, Treasurer) Bryan Lovell (Church Warden) John Seagrim (Church Warden) Jonathan Shiels (Church Warden) James Thomson (Church Warden) Margaret Brown (Church Warden)
(PCC Members cont’d) Meg Post (Church Warden) Revd. Roger Hoath Paul de Ridder Alex Ng Phillip Dawson Phillip Palumbo Elizabeth Maragh (PCC Secretary) Bankers CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, Kent ME19 4JQ Barclays Bank PLC, Leicester, LE87 2BB Charity Number: 1130738
The Parochial Church Council ('PCC') presents the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023
Responsibilities of the PCC:
The PCC is required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Parish as at the end of the financial year and of its income and expenditure for that period. In preparing those accounts, the PCC is required to select appropriate accounting policies, make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent and state whether all accounting standards which they consider to be applicable have been followed. The PCC is also required to use a going concern.
n basis in preparing the accounts unless this is inappropriate.
The PCC has the responsibility for ensuring that there are proper accounting records kept, and for taking such steps as are reasonably open to safeguard the assets of the Parish and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
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The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, in relation to having due regard to House of Bishop’s guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
Principal activity and review:
The PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the Priest in Charge, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish of St Stephen Walbrook the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. During 2023 the PCC believes it has met these objectives and will be maintained in the future. The Church is registered with the Charity Commission. In planning the activities for the year the PCC have kept in mind the Charity Commissioner’s guidance on public benefit.
Major Risks:
The PCC believes that it has identified and reviewed all major risks that might affect the mission and have sufficient systems and procedures in place to mitigate those risks. In particular the PCC believes that the level of reserves held are sufficient and reasonable to maintain the mission.
Financial Result:
The PCC reports a deficit of £19,734(2022 surplus £6,775) on Unrestricted Funds and a surplus of £46,419 (2022 deficit £8,567) on Restricted Funds. In total our surplus for 2023 was £26,685 (2022 deficit £1,792). At the year end our total funds were £108,546 (2022 £81,861).
Council:
The members of the PCC during the year were as shown on the previous page.
All members of the PCC are either ex officio or are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. The Parish has adopted a policy of electing Wardens and PCC Members annually.
Treasurers Report
Our total income was £579,815 (2022 £297,403).
Unrestricted Income was £227,715 (2022 £192,850).
Restricted Income was £352,100 (2022 £104,553).
The Grocers’ Company have continued their support towards clergy expenses. Many local businesses within the parish have supported the annual Church Rate scheme and we are grateful for these financial A warm welcome to new church members at St Stephen Walbrook... contributions. The Diocese received our full Common Fund contribution in 2023. The Diocese’s support has continued to be very reassuring.
The Choral Scholars and our musicians have continued to play an enormous part in the church’s services and Choral Classics. Other music contributions have been made through our long-standing series of Friday organ recitals, Rush Hour Jazz and the Walbrook Music Trust recitals.
Amongst the Wren Anniversary celebrations organised by the Church was the tremendously successful series of three concerts by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
Significant consultancy expenses associated with the planned remediation work associated with the Bloomberg development were funded by Bloomberg. Further costs relating to the new AV installation and to the continuing marketing and event management initiative are charged to restricted funds.
Special thanks are due to Stephen Baxter, our Priest in Charge, Elizabeth Maragh our Finance, Events and Office administrator, Lee Fitzgerald, our Verger, John Seagrim, our Fabric Warden and Paul de Ridder who keeps track of our online giving and the planned giving scheme and also handles the Gift Aid claims.
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David Atterbury Thomas Treasurer and Church Warden
Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023
1. Accounting Policies
The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the Regulations' "true and fair view" provisions. They have been prepared under FRS102(2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP(FRS102)).
2. Funds
Unrestricted Funds - These represent the remaining income funds of the PCC that are available for the spending on the general purposes of the PCC.
Restricted Funds - These are income funds that must be spent on restricted purposes. In this case the fund is the Fabric Fund used for the purposes of the upkeep, maintenance and repairs of the Church building.
3. Reserves
It is the PCC’s policy to maintain a balance of free reserves (net current assets) which equates to at least three months unrestricted payments. This is currently equivalent to approximately £40,000. It is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies. The balance of free reserves at the 2023 year end was £39,658 which meets our target.
4. Staff Costs
| 4. Staf Costs | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Wages and salaries (included in People Costs). £88,056 | £77,823 | |
| Average number of employees | 3 | 3 |
5. Related Parties
No payments or expenses were paid to any PCC member, persons connected to them or related parties.
6. Independent examiner's remuneration
The independent examiner's remuneration was £2,160 (2022 £2,160).
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| ST STEPHEN WALBROOK BALANCE SHEET As at 31 December 2023 |
ST STEPHEN WALBROOK BALANCE SHEET As at 31 December 2023 |
ST STEPHEN WALBROOK BALANCE SHEET As at 31 December 2023 |
ST STEPHEN WALBROOK BALANCE SHEET As at 31 December 2023 |
ST STEPHEN WALBROOK BALANCE SHEET As at 31 December 2023 |
ST STEPHEN WALBROOK BALANCE SHEET As at 31 December 2023 |
ST STEPHEN WALBROOK BALANCE SHEET As at 31 December 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds(£) | Restricted funds(£) | Total funds(£) | ||||
| 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 | 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 | 31/12/2023 | 31/12/2022 | |
| Assets | ||||||
| Bank and Investment | ||||||
| CAF - Current Account | £58,414 | £21,252 | - | £22,199 | £58,414 | £43,451 |
| Barclays - Current Account | - | - | £308 | £270 | £308 | £270 |
| CCLA (CBF) - Deposit Ac- count |
£32,420 | £1,000 | £68,580 | - | £101,000 | £1,000 |
| COIF- Investment Unit | £248 | £220 | - | - | £248 | £220 |
| Total Bank | £91,082 | £22,472 | £68,888 | £22,469 | £159,970 | £44,941 |
| Current Assets | ||||||
| Accounts Receivable | £37,353 | £29,237 | - | - | £37,353 | £29,237 |
| Accrued Income | £53,115 | £47,894 | - | - | £53,115 | £47,894 |
| Prepayments | £11,803 | £3,360 | - | - | £11,803 | £3,360 |
| Total Current Assets | £102,271 | £80,491 | - | - | £102,271 | £80,491 |
| Total Assets | £193,353 | £102,963 | £68,888 | £22,469 | £262,241 | £125,432 |
| Liabilities | ||||||
| Current Liabilities | ||||||
| Diocese of London CCGC loan |
£100,000 | - | - | - | £100,000 | - |
| Income in advance | £16,646 | £13,103 | - | - | £16,646 | £13,103 |
| Accruals | £37,049 | £30,468 | - | - | £37,049 | £30,468 |
| Total Current Liabilities | £153,695 | £43,571 | - | - | £153,695 | £43,571 |
| Total Liabilities | £153,695 | £43,571 | - | - | £153,695 | £43,571 |
| Net Assets | £39,658 | £59,392 | £68,888 | £22,469 | £108,546 | £81,861 |
| Funds | ||||||
| Net Movement in Funds | (£19,734) | £6,775 | £46,419 | (£8,567) | £26,685 | (£1,792) |
| Funds,brought forward | £59,392 | £52,617 | £22,469 | £31,036 | £81,861 | £83,653 |
| Total Funds | £39,658 | **£59,392 ** | £68,888 | £22,469 | £108,546 | £81,861 |
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ST STEPHEN WALBROOK
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023
| ST STEPHEN WALBROOK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023 |
ST STEPHEN WALBROOK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023 |
ST STEPHEN WALBROOK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023 |
ST STEPHEN WALBROOK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023 |
ST STEPHEN WALBROOK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023 |
ST STEPHEN WALBROOK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023 |
ST STEPHEN WALBROOK STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Unrestricted funds(£) |
Restricted funds(£) |
Total funds(£) |
Unrestricted funds(£) |
Restricted funds(£) |
Total funds(£) |
|
| Income Giving,donations and related income Collections Church Rate Receipts from Church Activities Church Hire One off Grants Reimbursement from Benjamin West Fund and third parties Other Income |
||||||
| £79,390 | - | £79,390 | £76,320 | - | £76,320 | |
| £39,848 | - | £39,848 | £35,266 | - | £35,266 | |
| £8,646 | - | £8,646 | £9,333 | - | £9,333 | |
| £29,165 | - | £29,165 | £26,978 | - | £26,978 | |
| £41,619 | - | £41,619 | £35,085 | - | £35,085 | |
| £7,600 | £114,545 | £122,145 | £6,834 | £25,067 | £31,901 | |
| - | £233,094 | £233,094 | - | £76,679 | £76,679 | |
| £21,447 | £4,461 | £25,908 | £3,034 | £2,807 | £5,841 | |
| Total Income | £227,715 | £352,100 | £579,815 | £192,850 | £104,553 | £297,403 |
| Special Costs Repairs, Maintenance and Expenses specially funded Other Special Costs |
||||||
| - | £233,094 | £233,094 | - | £76,679 | £76,679 | |
| £59,825 | - | £59,825 | £25,106 | - | £25,106 | |
| Total Special Costs | £59,825 | £233,094 | £292,919 | £25,106 | £76,679 | £101,785 |
| Income after Special Costs | £167,890 | £119,006 | £286,896 | £167,744 | £27,874 | £195,618 |
| A warm welcome Expenditure People Costs Music Costs Diocesan Common Fund Church Running Costs Church Building Costs AV, IT and Comms Events and Functions Professional Fees and Costs |
||||||
| £88,056 | - | embers a £88,056 £38,947 £31,000 £4,714 £14,262 £19,446 £6,622 £57,164 |
£77,823 | - | £77,823 | |
| £34,552 £31,000 |
£4,395 | £27,532 £28,650 |
£3,558 | £31,090 | ||
| - | - | £28,650 | ||||
| to new c £4,714 |
hurch m - |
t St Stephe £8,066 |
n Walbr - |
ook... £8,066 |
||
| £14,262 | - | £6,402 | - | £6,402 | ||
| £3,718 | £15,728 | £3,637 | £10,485 | £14,122 | ||
| £6,622 | - | £4,597 | - | £4,597 | ||
| £4,700 | £52,464 | £4,262 | £22,398 | £26,660 | ||
| Total Regular Costs | £187,624 | £72,587 | £260,211 | £160,969 | £36,441 | £197,410 |
| Net Movement in Funds | (£19,734) | £46,419 | £26,685 | £6,775 | (£8,567) | (£1,792) |
The Annual Accounts as approved by the PCC David Atterbury Thomas Treasurer Reverend Stephen Baxter Priest in Charge
Date 25.4.2024
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Members of the Parochial Church Council of St Stephen Walbrook
This report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2023, which is set out on pages 2529 is in respect of an examination carried out under Regulation 3(3) of the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 (‘the Regulations’) and Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
Respective responsibilities of the PCC and examiner
As described on page 25 the PCC is responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The PCC considers that the audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those accounts in accordance with the Regulations.
Basis of this report
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission under 43(7)(b) of the Act and to be found in the Church Guidance, 2006 edition, issued by the Finance division of the Archbishops’ Council. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures under-taken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records have not been met; or
2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in ord A warm welcome to new church m e r to enable a proper understanding f the mbers at St Stephen Walbr o ok... accounts to be reached.
Signature:
Rowland Aarons
Brooks Green
342 Regents Park Road
London N3 2LJ
25th April 2024
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St Stephen Walbrook Annual Report and Accounts 2023
Parish of Saint Stephen Walbrook
39 Walbrook
London EC4N 8BN
Telephone: 020 626 9000 www.ststephenwalbrook.net
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