2025-12-31-accounts - St Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

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Registered Charity Number 1157187

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

Index to the Report and Financial Statements

		Page
	Information	2
		3
		7
Statement of Financial Activities		8
Balance Sheet		9
Notes to the Financial Statements		10

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

INFORMATION

Charity name St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council Trustees Guild Vicar: Fr James Titley Churchwardens: Martin Clarke Tim Hailes, Alderman of Bassishaw Ward Robert Hughes-Penney, Alderman of Cheap Ward Jamie Ingham Clark (until April 2025) Gavin Ralston (Secretary) Ian Seaton, MBE (until April 2025) Charles Edward Lord, OBE (from April 2025) Members appointed by City of London Corporation: James St John Davis Gregory Jones Charles Edward Lord, OBE Elected Members: Roger Chadwick, OBE (Treasurer) Giles Murphy, Parish Clerk Representatives on the Deanery Synod: Charles Edward Lord, OBE Independent Examiner Knox Cropper LLP 65 Leadenhall Street London EC3A 2AD Bankers Metro Bank Registered charity number 1157187 Registered office Guildhall Yard, London EC2V 5AA

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

2025 has been a year of discernment, consolidation, and renewed confidence in the life and ministry of St Lawrence Jewry, building on the successes of the previous year. It is a pleasure to reflect on the past year and to give thanks for the many ways in which the church has continued to grow into its vocation as a living and active Guild Church at the heart of the City.

The reopening and restoration of the church, alongside renewed leadership and governance in recent years, have provided a strong foundation on which to build. In 2025 we have sought not only to maintain that momentum, but to deepen and strengthen what we do, using the gifts of the past to meet the needs of the present and future.

The year began with the Guild Church Council and staff gathering for an Away Day. This was a the coming years. Three key areas emerged from our discernment. First, we committed ourselves to evaluating and strengthening our many links and connections, with a particular focus on how we better build relationships with our broad, dispersed, and often transient church community. Secondly, we recognised afresh that music and choral worship have long been defining strengths of St Lawrence Jewry, and we resolved to build on these strengths both liturgically and through a renewed recital programme. Thirdly, we considered our governance structures and agreed to work towards the establishment of a number of sub-committees, broadening both participation and the range of expertise supporting the life of the church.

One of the most tangible signs of renewal this year has been the return of the Tuesday lunchtime recital series, which resumed in January after an absence of around five years. Music recitals have been a regular feature of St Lawrence Jewry since their introduction in 1957, and their return has been warmly welcomed. The series continues to provide an invaluable platform for both professional musicians and conservatoire students to perform in a prestigious central London setting. While traditionally limited to organ and piano, the programme now embraces a wider range of soloists, ensembles, and repertoire, showcasing musical diversity week by week. Held on Tuesdays at 1.00pm during term time, the recitals offer a relaxed and accessible opportunity for City workers and visitors to enjoy live music during the lunch hour. Entry remains free, with a retiring collection supporting the upkeep of instruments.

Building on this musical focus, September saw the introduction of a Choral Mass on Thursday lunchtimes. This development has significantly enriched the liturgical life of the church, bringing music more fully into the heart of our regular worship. Over an initial three-month trial period the congregation, though fluctuating week by week, almost doubled in size. In light of this growth and the overwhelmingly positive response, it was agreed to extend the Choral Mass provision into the new year, with a view to continuing through to the summer of 2026.

Alongside worship and music, St Lawrence Jewry has continued to engage thoughtfully with wider initiatives shaping the future of the Church in the City. We have been actively involved in the Square Mile Churches Project, which has explored the architectural significance of City churches, their role in community building, what they currently offer and might offer in the future, and how they can -zero targets. This work has also involved detailed research into local demographics, patterns of movement, and institutional engagement, all of which will inform our ongoing planning and mission.

A particularly significant development this year has been the re-engagement with our historic links with Bermuda. Representatives of the Bermuda Government were welcomed to St Lawrence Jewry for a tour and discussions about the future of the relationship. This renewed connection bore fruit in June, when we hosted the first ever standalone service to mark UK Overseas Territories Day. Government representatives from most of the UK Overseas Territories were present, alongside UK Government ministers, marking an important moment in the life of the church. Following the service, Commons, further strengthening these renewed ties. Throughout the year we have also begun to

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

reforge other significant connections that have diminished over time, most notably with the Royal Marines.

The usual round of civic and livery services has continued, alongside a number of high-profile weddings and memorial services, each offering moments of profound pastoral engagement, celebration, and remembrance. In July we marked, as usual, our Dedication Festival. This time the service took the form of a High Mass, made possible through the generous support of our friends at St Mary-le-Bow and St Bartholomew the Great, who loaned liturgical items and vestments to enhance the celebration. This service stood hospitality, and collaborative spirit within the City.

Advent and Christmas were once again a particularly successful and life-giving season at St Lawrence Jewry. Across a range of services and events the church welcomed large and diverse congregations, drawing together civic, institutional, and personal connections. We were especially pleased to welcome Balliol College, Oxford - possibly for the first time since the church left their patronage in 1952 - marking a notable and symbolic moment in the ongoing story of the church and its history. As ever, Christmas provided an opportunity not only for celebration and high-quality worship, but for generous welcome, encounter, and witness in the heart of the City.

Looking to the future, we have begun careful and imaginative conversations about how we might adapt and better use our building so that its life can be broadened to serve more people, community groups, and users. Early proposals include the reordering of the existing facilities to provide a fully accessible toilet, a modest kitchen area, secure office space, and a small community room. This represents a significant and exciting project, which will require detailed planning, building work, and substantial fundraising over the coming year and beyond. These developments have the potential to enhance both our mission and our hospitality, enabling the church building to support a wider range of activity while remaining faithful to its sacred purpose.

Behind the scenes, much important work has also taken place. The seventeenth century painting of restoration, thanks to the generosity of a private benefactor and additional funding sources that will cover the cost in due course. This careful conservation will ensure the long-term preservation of a significant artistic and devotional treasure of the church.

St Lawrence Jewry continues to be sustained by a remarkable culture of volunteering. We remain volunteers who serve faithfully each Tuesday to welcome visitors to the church. Alongside them, our own small but steadily growing group of local volunteers give generously of their time and talents, supporting recitals, special open days, refreshments at major services, and the wider welcome offered by the church. Their contribution is invaluable and deeply appreciated.

As the year drew to a close, we also marked the retirement of Katrina, our Church Administrator, commitment had been instrumental in sustaining the daily life of the church through the restoration project and interregnum. We offer her our thanks and wish her every blessing in her retirement.

My thanks also go to James (Director of Music), Sheila (Finance Manager), the Churchwardens, Officers, and members of the Guild Church Council for their commitment, wisdom, and support. St Lawrence Jewry is a church very much alive: discerning carefully, building patiently, and welcoming generously. As we continue to listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit, we do so with confidence that good things lie ahead.

I wish all who share in the life of St Lawrence Jewry another very prosperous year ahead, and I look forward to all that God will continue to do among us as we seek to make His love known in the City.

Fr. James Titley

Guild Vicar, St. Lawrence Jewry-next-Guildhall

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

Structure, governance and management

St Lawrence Jewry is a Guild Church established under the City of London (Guild Churches) Act 1952 (hereafter referred to as the Act). It is a body corporate by virtue of s17(3) of the Act. By s29 of the Act the freehold of the Church and Churchyard was transferred to the City of London Corporation. The method of appointment of GCC members is set out s17(1) of the Act. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll.

The Guild Church Council usually meets seven times a year. GCC meetings are subject to rules set out in a Scheme passed by the London Diocesan Conference on 19th November 1957 pursuant to s18 of the Act. During the past year meetings have been held as far as possible in person, but also hybrid and full electronic meetings have been used.

The management of the charity is the responsibility of the Members of the GCC who are elected, appointed and co-opted under the terms of the City of London (Guild Churches) Act 1952.

The GCC set up a standing committee of five members, to assist in making decisions outside the times of GCC meetings.

Objectives and activities for the public benefit

Under s5(1) of the Act it is the primary purpose of a Guild Church to serve and minister to the nons17(2) of the Act of cooperating with the Guild Vicar in the initiation, conduct and development of Church work in or in connection with the Guild Church. s29 of the Act declares St Lawrence Jewry to be the official church of the City of London Corporation. St Lawrence Jewry is also the Ward Church of the Wards of Cheap and Bassishaw under s32 of the Act.

In considering the activities that have been undertaken this year, the GCC have paid due regard to the published Charity Commission guidance on the operation of the Public Benefit requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

Financial results

Income & Expenditure

In 2025 decreased to £253,309 ( £279,422 in 2024 ), due mainly to lower income from grants compared to the previous year (£139,668 vs £175,332 in 2024).

Expenditure reduced from £203,525 in 2024 to £185,458 in 2025, due to a utilities accrual adjustment Insurance paid in the previous four years that should have been covered by the respective allowance.

As a result, the surplus for the year was £67,852 ( £75,897 in 2024 ).

Reserves

It is the policy of the GCC to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the Charity, at a level which equates to six months of unrestricted expenditure. At 31 December 2025, these unrestricted reserves of £372,685 are more than sufficient to support the on-going ministry of the Church.

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

Concerns

The GCC is confident that the Church will continue prospering in 2026, as many special services and music events that generate income have been booked until the end of the year, and it will keep a good control on expenditure.

Memorandum of Understanding

City of London Corporation and the London Diocesan Fund setting out for the first time the relative responsibilities of each party. This has placed the finance and funding of the church on a more secure footing for the foreseeable future.

This MoU was updated in November 2023 by the parties to reflect the state of the building after a 1.5-year refurbishment, namely to include details of the annual maintenance required, which is reviewed annually.

Responsibilities of the Trustees and the GCC

in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom General Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations.

They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees are responsible for the

This report has been approved by the GCC on 23 March 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Fr. James Titley Guild Vicar

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

I NDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT to the Trustees of the St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). You are satisfied that the accounts are not required by charity law to be audited and have chosen instead to have an independent examination.

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council are not required to be audited under charity law and are eligible for independent examination. I report in respect of my examination of the accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act”). In carrying out my examination | have followed the directions by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

being a qualified member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Richard Billinghurst FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)

Date: 31/03/2026

For and on behalf of Knox Cropper LLP

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 65 Leadenhall Street London EC3A 2AD

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments *Total* Expenditure on: Charitable activities *Total* Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds *Net movement in funds* *Reconciliation of funds:* Total funds brought forward *Total funds carried forward*	General funds Designated funds Restricted funds 2025 total funds £ £ £ £ 169,357 10,721 600 180,677 16,107 460 - 16,567 42,454 132 - 42,586 5,445 7,361 674 13,480 Unrestricted	General funds Designated funds Restricted funds 2024 total funds £ £ £ £ 177,577 8,788 24,850 211,214 19,660 670 - 20,330 36,175 260 - 36,435 2,922 7,529 991 11,442 Unrestricted
	233,362 18,673 1,274 253,309 177,877 142 7,438 185,458	236,334 17,247 25,841 279,422 182,961 2,717 17,847 203,525
	177,877 142 7,438 185,458	182,961 2,717 17,847 203,525
	55,486 18,531 (6,165) 67,852	53,373 14,529 7,995 75,897
	(24,109) 24,069 40 - 31,377 42,600 (6,125) 67,852 115,552 183,117 39,883 338,552	(84) 84 - - 53,289 14,613 7,995 75,897 62,263 168,504 31,888 262,655
	146,929 225,717 33,758 406,403	115,552 183,117 39,883 338,552

The results set out above have been derived entirely from continuing operations.

The notes on pages 10 to 16 form part of these financial statements.

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025

The notes on pages 10 to 16 form part of these financial statements.

Approved by the Trustees on 23 March 2026 and signed on their behalf by

Fr. James Titley Guild Vicar

Roger Chadwick, OBE Treasurer

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Note 1 Basis of preparation

1.1. Basis of accounting

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with:

the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 1 January 2019,
the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and
the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.

1.2. Going concern

The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these financial statements. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of one year from the date of approval of these financial statements.

The trustees of the charity have concluded that there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees are of the opinion that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due.

1.3. Change of accounting policy

The accounts present a true and fair view and no changes have been made to the accounting policies adopted.

1.4. Changes to accounting estimates

No material changes to accounting estimates have occurred in the reporting period.

1.5. Material prior year errors

No material prior year error has been identified in the reporting period.

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

Note 2 Accounting policies

2.1. Income

Recognition of income are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when:

the charity becomes entitled to the resources;

it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources;

the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by the FRS 102 SORP or FRS 102.

Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria are met (5.10 to 5.12 FRS102 SORP).

Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise.

Contractual income and performance related grants were only included in the SoFA once the charity has provided the related goods or services or met the performance related conditions.

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the

Income from interest is included in the accounts when receipt is probable and the amount receivable can be measured accurately.

Membership subscriptions received in the nature of a gift are recognised in Donations.

2.2. Recognition of expenditure and liabilities

All expenditure is accounted for on an accrual basis.

Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

The charity made no redundancy payments during the reporting period.

The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts.

A liability is measured on recognition at its historical cost and then subsequently measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date.

2.3. Assets

Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and are valued at cost. the depreciation rates and methods used are disclosed in note 8.

Debtors (including trade debtors and loans receivable) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received.

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

Note 3 Income

Note 4 Government grants

The charity received a local government grant of £130,103 in 2025 ( £137,217 in 2024

Note 5 Expenditure

	Unrestricted	Unrestricted				Unrestricted	Unrestricted
	General	Designated		Restricted	2025 total	General	Designated	Restricted	2024 total
	funds	funds		funds	funds	funds	funds	funds	funds
	£	£		£	£	£	£	£	£
Expenditure on charitable activities:
Ministry	101,137		-	-	101,137	91,363	-	-	91,363
Staff	20,404		-	-	20,404	34,220	-	-	34,220
Bank & Other Charges	314		52	-	366	156	63	-	220
Cleaning	6,754		-	-	6,754	6,803	-	-	6,803
Donations given	1,970		-	-	1,970	1,965	-	-	1,965
Heating, Water and Lighting	(13,726)		-	-	(13,726)	(4,783)	-	-	(4,783)
Hospitality	1,078		31	-	1,110	3,723	-	-	3,723
Independent Examiner	3,600		-	-	3,600	3,450	-	-	3,450
Maintenance	17,479	279		1,058	18,815	16,588	2,434	4,996	24,018
Music	13,921	(220)		-	13,701	5,941	220	-	6,161
Office, Telephone & Internet	4,515		-	-	4,515	5,185	-	4,488	9,673
Professional & other fees	17,982		-	-	17,982	16,172	-	1,236	17,408
Vestry & Votives	1,026		-	-	1,026	751	-	5,000	5,751
Vicarage costs	-		-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Depreciation	1,425		-	6,381	7,806	1,425	-	2,127	3,552
*Total expenditure on charitable* *activities*	177,877	142		7,438	185,458	182,961	2,717	17,847	203,525
Total expenditure	177,877	142		7,438	185,458	182,961	2,717	17,847	203,525

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

Note 6 Paid employees

No employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more than £60,000 and none were considered key management.

was 1.

There were no ex-gratia payments to employees and others (excluding trustees) and no redundancy or termination payment was made in the period.

By the end of 2026, HMRC will be repaying four years, allowance should have been used.

Note 7 Defined contribution pension

The charity assesses each employee for eligibility as a jobholder under the auto-enrolment system. Any eligible jobholders are auto-enrolled to a group money purchase defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost represents the contributions payable under the scheme by the charity and the charity has no further liability other than the payment of those contributions and the jobholder is responsible for their own pension fund with the pension administrators.

Note 8 Tangible fixed assets

Equipment over £5,000 is capitalised at historic cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over at 25% per annum.

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

Note 9 Debtors and prepayments

Note 10 Creditors

The movement of the deferred income account was as follows:

Note 11 Cash at bank and in hand

Note 12 Charity funds

Note 12 Charity funds
			2025
	Fund				Fund
	balance brought	Income	Expenditure	Transfer	balances carried
	forward				forward
	£	£	£	£	£
Unrestricted - General Fund	115,552	233,362	177,877	(24,109)	146,929
Designated - Bells Fund	(662)	1,391	279	-	449
Designated - Fabric Fund	9,899	412	-	24,069	34,380
Designated - Friends Fund	70,628	8,345	40	-	78,933
Designated - Music Instruments	1,716	4,299	(177)	-	6,192
Designated - Reserves	101,536	4,226	-	-	105,762
Restricted - Fabric Fund	26,790	133	6,381	-	20,542
Restricted - Music Instruments	13,092	541	418	-	13,215
Restricted - Vestments	-	600	640	40	-
	338,552	253,309	185,458	-	406,403

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

- Designated Funds

The Fabric Fund has been set up to cover future repairs and maintenance costs that the charity may incur. The Clock Fund and the Bell Fund are to be used to repair the clock and the bells, respectively, whilst the Music Instruments fund will allow repairs or the refurbishment of the piano or organ. The memberships of the Friends of the St Lawrence Jewry used to be shown in the accounts as part of the Unrestricted Funds, but to have more transparency, the GCC has decided to keep those on a separate fund.

The Reserves Fund allow the GCC to keep, in a separate account, funds that will only be used as a last resource. It is the intention that those funds will cover at least 6 months of annual running costs, and at the end of the year they covered 7.1 months of 2025 actual expenditure.

Restricted Funds

The Fabric Fund and the Music Instruments Fund will help the GCC meet the cost of repairs to the fabric of the church and to the refurbishment of the piano or organ, respectively. Included within the Fabric Fund is the net book value of the sound system purchased in the year. The depreciation on the sound system will be charged against this fund until August 2028.

The Vestments Fund was used for the repair or purchase of chasubles or stoles thanks to a £5k grant received in 2023, and in 2025 a donation allowed the repair of a cope. The Clock Fund has been used to repair the clock.

Note 13 Transactions with trustees and related parties

The charity is part of the Diocese of London, and, therefore, material interdependencies between the Church and the Diocese arise as a consequence of this relationship. For reporting purposes, the charity and Diocese are not treated as related parties as defined in FRS 102.

In accordance with the Guild Churches Act 1952, the following are Church Council Members and are also elected members of the City of London Corporation:

Tim Hailes, Alderman of Bassishaw Ward
Robert Hughes-Penney, Alderman of Cheap Ward
James St John Davis
Gregory Jones
Charles Edward Lord, OBE

St. Lawrence Jewry Guild Church Council

During the year ended 31 December 2025, the Church received grants totalling £130,103 ( £137,217 in 2024 ) from the City of London Corporation. However, a creditor of £10,134 ( £9,611 in 2024 ) was due to the City of London at that date in respect of maintenance and salary costs initially paid by the City of London and that were reimbursed by the Church in January 2026.

for fulfilling their duties have been incurred this year and the preceding year. Costs relating to church business of £723 were reimbursed to one trustee ( one trustee £478 in 2024 ).