2025-12-31-accounts

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1111 ST BARTHOLOMEW THE G FIEAT Annual Report 2025

Contents	Contents
1.Foreword by the Rector....................		4
2.Foreword by the Wardens.................		5
3.Our Vision Statement........................		6
4.2025 in Review...................................		20
a.Achievement & Performance..............	22
b.Church Office.......................................	26
c.Music in 2025.......................................	27
d.St Bartholomew the Less....................	28
5.Committee & Board Reports..............		30
a.Mission & Outreach.............................	32
b.Fundraising..........................................	34
c.Charity..................................................	36
d.Fabric....................................................	38
e.Visitor Experience...............................	40
f.Major Projects......................................	42
6.Financial Statements..........................		44
a.Financial Review.................................	46
b.Annual Report of the PCC.................	50
c.Auditor’s Report..................................	55
d.Statement of Financial Activities.......	59
e.Balance Sheet.......................................	60
f.Statement of Cash Flows....................	61
g.Notes to the Financial Statements.....	62

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Foreword by the Rector

2025 was a very strong and healthy year for the parish of Great St Bartholomew, which I am pleased you can explore in much more detail over the course of this rejigged Annual Report. The heartening strength of our congregation numbers, finances, and role in the community is the consequence of the huge amount of work put in by the permanent staff of the church and the army of volunteers who give of their time, energy, imagination, money, and enthusiasm.

The ongoing pastoral care of the congregation - newer and older - and physical care of the buildings means our work cannot stop. In fact, it only grows with each year. You can see in here the plans we are making to safeguard the future of our buildings and the community they allow to grow within and around them.

I hope this Annual Report gives an insight into all the work that goes on behind the scenes at Great St Bart’s and gives a sense of hope and expectation for our future.

Marcus Walker. The Rector

Foreword by the Wardens

During the course of 2025 we were delighted by the continued growth in the number of people willing to give their time to our many volunteer teams. More Sidesmen, Servers, Readers, Members of the live-streaming group, Sunday coffee rota and all the other groups that are so vital to the life of the parish is to us a clear sign of a healthy and committed community coming together to support, in the most practical way possible, the spiritual life of the parish, led by our outstanding clergy team. We are humbled by so much dedicated commitment of precious time and effort to our beloved parish.

On a personal note, as signatories to the contract with Eule, the builders of our new organ, in March 2025, we were pleased to have an involvement, however small, in this significant project that will, we are sure, be valued as one of the great treasures of the church at the time of the 1,000th celebrations of the foundation of St. Bartholomew the Great.

Harry Cowd, Churchwarden

Charles Spanton, Churchwarden

Our Vision Statement

Where timeless faith meets new energy...

As one of London’s fastest-growing Anglican Churches, St Bart's the Great is a place where timeless faith meets new energy – a community at the forefront of a quiet revival.

Our growth is driven largely by a new generation of young congregants drawn to:

The magnificence and drama of the building

Nine centuries etched in stone and shadow. There is a sense that time somehow lives here echoing its stories – even a brief visit makes it easy to see why great filmmakers want to work here.

The inspiring beauty of our traditional services

Our services aim to be awesome in the true sense of the word. Deep in beauty and mystery – a timeless, candlelit theatre of the sacred.

The sublime music heard here

Our musicians are masters of their craft.Their renowned music is sanctuary in itself – hearing them silences all “innerchatter” and creates a space within us for the transcendent to enter.

Critical restoration and repair...

Our mind-opening sermons, study groups and cultural events

We aim to provoke thought and widen perspectives.

Our rapid growth and the transformation the Culture Mile Initiative brings means building upon this momentum: Launching an educational programme and expanding our calendar of music and cultural events, opening more of our spaces to open more minds and more hearts.

As stewards of two historically unique churches, much of what we do is driven by critical restoration and repair. However, within these essential programmes, we always endeavour to see new opportunities to create new spaces and fulfil new ambitions.

Our Vision to increase wonder further...

Displaying medieval treasures from the Museum of London in a medieval setting. Opening up the garden to provide visitors with a glimpse of our monastic past. Entertaining and educating groups of local school children with the astonishing stories of their City. Hosting more thought-provoking cultural events.Taking our immersive musical experiences to new heights with an incredible new pipe organ and a new music schedule of events.

Bringing the past into the future...

This will make St Bart's unique in being the UK’s only place of worship, and the only medieval building in the world, to have surround-sound organ pipes set throughout the entirety of the building.

This cutting edge instrument won't just enable new performances and experimental new compositions, it will revive an ancient tradition - the medieval practice of placing musicians and singers on different levels and in different settings to surround all gathered with music from every direction.

For all our wonderful plans, our building is currently unfit to receive its growing numbers of visitors:

Our Kitchen is condemned as unsafe.

Our loos are inaccessible to the disabled and we have a dangerously leaky 1980s extension.

The Cloister serving as our community space can serve little beyond tea and coffee.

We are currently without a secure and comfortable space for children to experience our educational programme.

And, although we have a beautiful garden, visitors cannot currently access it.

A place that has healed without ceasing...

How we can secure ongoing care for the Less...

St Bart’s The Less is Britain’s only church with a hospital as its parish. The Less has provided unbroken support and comfort to over 30 generations of Barts patients, their families and clinical staff. It is a place that has healed without ceasing – and this unique Church now needs ongoing care itself.

Our parish was founded by Rahere after a vision of St Bartholomew called him to establish a great hospital and church in London. The very word hospital shares its roots with hospitable, reminding us that Rahere’s vision was not only of medicine and masonry, but of generosity, compassion, and open-hearted welcome.

Our vision is that, for ever-growing numbers, St Bart's will continue to inspire wonder, learning and belonging for another millennium.

Making Our Vision a Reality

In 2023, we launched our 900th Anniversary campaign with a vision to ensure that, for ever-growing numbers, St Bart's will continue to inspire wonder, learning and belonging for another millennium. This plan can be roughly split into three phases:

Phase 1

2023 - 2025

Undertaking all the preparatory work for the redevelopment of St Bartholomew The Great.

Phase 2

2025 - 2027

Building and installing our new organ & carrying out roof repairs to St Bartholomew The Less.

Phase 3 Redeveloping St Bartholomew The Great with a new 2027+ extension, crypt, sacristy and kitchen space.

Phase 1

2025 saw us complete Phase 1. With raised for our 900£505,102 th Appeal, we were able to begin the RIBA Stage 3 process, which should come to a conclusion by the middle of 2026.

Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4	Stage 5
Preparation &	Concept	Spatial	Technical	Manufacture &
Brief	Design	Coordination	Design	Construction

Phase 2

Phase 2 began in earnest. In 2025 alone, between the PCC and the Music Foundation, a staggering of an estimated £2.1 million was raised for£1,301,877 our new organ.

In The Less, of the estimated £1.1 million required, has already been£512k pledged by two grant-making bodies.

62%

47%

of the funds raised for the Organ Fund.

of the funds raised for The Less.

Figures correct as of 31st December 2025. Please consult the Fundraising Board or Finance Team for up-to-date figures.

IITI I 14

Nine Centuries

etched in stone and shadow

Witnessing 902 years

Although it might feel both daunting and overwhelming, it is the privilege of every PCC member, volunteer, and member of our clergy team to be entrusted with the care of a 902 year old building.

As we continue to fundraise for the upkeep of our buildings, it is essential to look back at the efforts our forebears undertook to ensure that we might inherit this glorious place of worship.

Interior of the Church of St Bartholomew the Great, Vernor & Hood, Poultry; J. Storer, & J. Greig, 1805

Excavation of the cloister, 1923, a project undertaken by Rector W. F. G. Sandwith in celebration of the 800th anniversary of St Bartholomew the Great.

Rector John Abbiss, 1819 - 1883 Known as the last clergyman in the Church of England to wear the clerical wig (thus far).

Rector Sir Borradaile Savory, 1887 - 1906

Rector William F.G. Sandwith, 1907 - 1929

Rector William Panckridge, 1884 - 1887

Rector Sidney Savage, 1929 - 1944 Uncle and godfather to Rector Wallbank, his successor.

Rector Newell Eddius Wallbank, 1944 – 1979, performing the annual distribution of the Butterworth Charity to the poor widows of the parish on Good Friday.

This image was presumably taken in the late 1940s given Rector Wallbank’s youthful looks.

Rector Arthur Brown, 1979 - 1991

Rector David Lawson, 1991– 1993

Rector Martin Dudley, 1995 - 2016 Rector Marcus Walker, 2018 - Present

Queen Elizabeth II & the Duke of Edinburgh, 1973

Eastern Part of the Cloister of St Bartholomew’s Priory, Unknown

Student nurse holds a rose on St Luke’s Day, which would then be laid on the tomb of Prior Rahere, 1960s.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, nurses lived on campus, housed around St Bartholomew Close and Charterhouse Square.

Even before the merger of the two parishes, St Bartholomew the Great and St Bartholomew the Less enjoyed a close partnership.

Frank E. Beresford in his studio painting the Decorations for the Panels of the Organ Pulpit Screen in the Church of St Bartholomew the Great, in 1932.

Filming in the Lady Chapel, date unknown.

Rahere An Historical Pageant Play tells the story of the founding of St Bartholomew’s Church and Hospital. Opening date was Monday 19th October 1931 and the play was performed for a duration of 4 weeks, weekdays at 6pm and Sundays at 3pm. The play was performed in the main body of the church.

Basil Dawson (congregation member) exhibiting his water colours in the cloister in conversation with the Mayor of Lambeth, Dennis R Houghting at the premier, May 1989.

In the late 1970s, Rector Wallbank and Churchwarden/Treasurer Peter Weatherill launched a fundraising campaign to coincide with the church’s 850th anniversary. The aim was to raise £100,000 for reserves, Fabric repairs, and restoration of the organ.

2025 in Review 20

i• 21

Achievements and performance

Two years on from our 900 anniversary celebrations, and the parish is in wonderful health. Every six years, the Church Representation Rules mandate that we must issue a completely new electoral roll.

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Electoral Roll Adults & Children
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
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Electoral Roll members v Average Sunday Attendance (Adults & Children)

2025 was such a year. Normally, the result is a sharp drop in numbers, but, as can be seen above, we saw a 32% increase from 414 members to 546. Meanwhile, our average Sunday attendance has been steadily growing. In 2023 it stood at 522, increasing to 626 in 2024 (+20%) and 669 in 2025 (+7%).

Regular attendees to Sunday worship at St Bartholomew the Great will not have failed to notice this growth.

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1,000
800
600
400
200
0
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
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Members of the St Bartholomew Worshipping Community

Our Livestreaming is also an important part of our mission, and those who watch regularly are counted as part of our “Worshipping Community” by the Church of England.

31%

Average YoY Growth in Worshipping Community Members since 2021

When regular services recommenced after the COVID-19 pandemic, our Worshipping Community stood at 463. In 2025, this figure reached 999, growth of 115%.

1,492

820

999

Christmas Easter Worshipping Attendance Attendance Community

46 23 Weddings Baptisms

Christmas was a richly busy time. Given growing demand for our carol services, we doubled up on our Medieval Carols, Dickensian Carols, and Nine Lessons and Carols. Interestingly, this only further increased demand!

	Attendees Service 1st 2nd Total Medieval Carols 506 395 901 Dickensian Carols 554 407 961 Nine Lessons & Carols 613 642 1,255

Not only did we see greater attendance at the majority of our services compared to 2024, but increasing our services was the general theme of the year, continuing a trend since the pandemic.

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60
50
40
30
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Num. of Services per Season
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In 2018, the average number of services per season was 42.8, a figure which now stands at 50.3 (+17.5%).

Such efforts are only possible thanks to the dedication of our clergy team, both full time and associate, and the Herculean efforts of our volunteers to whom the PCC extends a heartfelt thanks.

If you’re wondering why so many people are drawn to St Bart’s then do read on about all the wonderful successes of our 902nd year.

Church Office

Like every year, in 2025, the Church Office worked diligently to support our clergy, wardens and PCC with admin, services, events and bookings.

In 2025, we were the venue of choice for a major film production, documentaries, music recordings, and a charity campaign launch.

We were proud to host Clerkenwell Design Week for the first time in 2025, beginning a partnership that we hope will flourish for many years to come. Plans are already afoot for 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Music, as ever, was a big part of the activity at St Bart’s. We hosted a number of In The Dark concerts, the London Bach Society, the London Youth Choir, and Aeolian Winds, as well as numerous corporate and charity carol services.

Fittingly, given the growth in our congregation numbers, the Church Office worked hard to host The Spectator for their event Recovering aaaathe Sacred looking into the Quiet Revival in church attendance in England.

If you’ve been to The Great, you might have noticed that the old pipe organ has been removed. A new organ is under construction and is set to be installed in 2027.

No doubt this will keep the Church Office as busy as ever in the years to come!

I would like to thank Susy, Gordon and Sam for all their hard work throughout the year, and look forward to what 2026 holds for the church.

Rose Murphy.

Church Manager

The Musical Life of the Parish in 2025

The year for the choir began with two BBC Radio 3 broadcasts of Compline during the season of Lent. March was also significant for the signing of the contract with Eule for our new pipe organ for completion in 2028. The first year of this project has involved many meetings with Eule and most significantly the removal of the old organ in October. The Aston Webb case, along with a rank of large wooden pedal pipes, were shipped to the Eule factory in Germany for restoration.

In the autumn two significant changes transformed the working conditions of our singers: the redecoration of the choir vestry and the purchase of nine reconditioned iPads for the reading of music. The move to digitise the library and only perform using iPads has been transformative for the choir. Christmas carol services now no longer require several different carol books and no matter how dark the church may be, the choir can always read the music clearly. Christmas in 2025 was particularly busy with both the doubling up of some carol services to accommodate larger congregations and also the addition of a French carol service with all the music and readings performed in French. One of the other highlights of the Christmas season was a fundraising concert for the benefit of the Organ Project.

Finally, thanks to the generosity of a donor, we continue to enjoy a valuable relationship with Royal Holloway University and benefit from four choral scholars singing alongside our professional musicians on Sunday mornings during term time. As Director of Music, I would like to thank the congregation for all their support for the music of this great church as well as enthusiastically embracing the new Organ Project and giving so generously.

Rupert Gough, Director of Music

St Bart’s The Less

St Bart's the Less is a place of worship, quiet reflection, and prayer and an important sacred space for ministry in the hospital. Patients, family and staff regularly visit the church to pray or simply to find a place of peace and tranquillity. I would estimate that 50 + people visit the church each day and many leave their prayer requests in the prayer book to be prayed for each Tuesday.

The church is also regularly used for weddings, Guild services, baptisms and memorial services for patients, alumni and staff from the hospital. Along with presiding each Tuesday at the mid-week Eucharist, I spend approximately 30 minutes each day to be available for those who might like a prayer, a request to visit a patient or someone to speak with.

I see this as an important part of my ministry as Hospitaller.

St Bartholomew the Less is a shared space for a unique community embracing joy, grief, new life and death.

And I am grateful to all who are regularly part of this community: Gordon, Alison, Ann, and Mayli

Claire who keeps the church filled with flowers and Donny who is on hand to greethj visitors and regularly cleans the church.

The St Bart's Family Service also takes place in St Bartholomew the Less at 10am on Sunday mornings during term time. This is a lovely service aimed at children of all ages and their families.

Children are invited to participate through an accessible sermon and by ringing the bells and holding candles during the service. And very soon some of the older children will be invited by Allison to train as sidespersons.

The annual Christingle service was held on Saturday 20th December in Barts the Less. Attendance at the service was much higher than in previous years, with a total of 176 people filling the church (including 65 children), and extra chairs were put out in order to seat everyone. All generations were represented and a high level of excitement and enjoyment with the oranges and candles prepared for this service of Light.

The altar rail in St Bartholomew the Less has now been renovated and looks resplendent in blue and gold! The wooden rail has also been restored and a new hinge secured. Those who see the altar rail for the first time following the renovation are delighted with the striking colour of the blue framework reflecting the blue tiles in the Sanctuary and the freshly painted gold leaves.

The League of St Bartholomew’s Hospital Nurses supported the project linking it with the 900th anniversary celebrations of both St Bartholomew’s Hospital and the parish.

The Revd Julie Khovacs, Hospitaller, St Bartholomew’s Hospital

Alison Knapp, Life Vice President, St Bartholomew League of Nurses

Imk Committee & Board Reports 30

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Mission & Outreach

The Mission & Outreach Committee has continued to promote and support the expansion of our congregation across the board this year. We are blessed with evergrowing numbers attending our services, with the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass regularly drawing at least 250 people and Evensong in the City at least 200. As well as celebrating those numbers, one of the challenges for the Committee to consider in 2026 is how to make proper provision for all those who choose to worship with us – both spiritually and, indeed, physically. Here follow a few highlights from the year.

Children and Young Families

The Committee supported the founding of a “Cloister Club” area for young children, to be installed at the end of the Cloister in 2026. This proposal arose from a Children’s Task Force led by the Rector and Uther Shackerley-Bennett (to whom, many thanks), and is part of our expanding ministry to young families.

Christianity in daily life

As the parish grows, it must also continue to help its members deepen their faith. One of the most frequent requests from parishioners is for resources to enable them to learn more about the Church and Christianity, and in particular how to make Christian living a part of their daily routine. The Committee is always looking for new ways to

provide support in this area, whether through retreats or the “Soup & Scripture” programme (successfully coordinated by Patrick Hardy in 2024). In 2026, the Committee will arrange parish-wide “quiet days” of prayer and reflection, alongside other events and programmes.

Young Adults Retreat

The Committee organised the third annual retreat for the young adults of the parish in September 2025. As in previous years, there was considerable demand, and the trip was oversubscribed.

Retreatants spent a week at a retreat house in SouthWest France (kindly subsidised by the owner, under the auspices of the English Clergy Association), where they participated in four services each day (Morning Prayer, Holy Communion, Evening Prayer and Compline) and spent time individually and aain small groups using lectio divina to pray on passages from the parables in St Matthew’s Gospel.

Ministry of Welcome

One of the most remarkable aspects of parish life is the number of hours contributed by volunteers, and our “Freshers’ Fair” event in September, demonstrated just how many different groups of volunteers are involved. Without them, very little would be possible, and warmest thanks are owed to all those who volunteer in any capacity.

In particular, the Mission & Outreach Committee has focussed this year on supporting our “ministry of welcome”. The Committee is extremely grateful to Juliet Richards for taking on the somewhat daunting task of organising coffee after the 11 a.m. Sunday

Mass. It is also delighted to see that a number of new volunteers have joined the sidesmen team, to meet the needs of our expanding congregations. On that note, thanks go to Zoë McMillan (and to Brian Waldy before her), who stepped down from assisting with the administration of the sidesmen at Easter 2025.

Timothy Foot, Chair of the Mission & Outreach Committee

Fundraising Board

The Fundraising Board was established in September 2025. Its first priority was a coherent strategy for fundraising to drive the three major campaigns, underpinned by the essential digital and structural infrastructure required for long-term fundraising success.

High-Level Strategy and Approach

The Board's immediate goals were three-fold: agree and communicate a Unified Narrative, maximise available skills and opportunities with a “Tetris” approach to needs and opportunities, and improve our Digital Infrastructure.

1. Unified Narrative: "Wonder and Welcome"

A key priority was to address the lack of an overarching narrative that unites the Organ, The Less, and The Great projects.
Alan Young is leading the church-wide understanding and use of "Wonder and Welcome," a unifying vision to bind and bolster the three main projects.
Following testing and refinement within the PCC and wider congregation, to ensure this captures our community's essence, this is now in use across all communications for St Bartholomew the Great's mission: a refreshed website, Business Plan, event speeches and materials, and funding bids.

2. The “Tetris” Approach

This approach maximises existing skillsets and capacity of volunteer time, and - in the short-term at least - minimises the risk of a large investment of money and time on professional fundraising support which doesn’t convert into funds.

We are benefitting from expertise within the congregation including social media, bidwriting, coding and AI. We now have a simple live tracker for grant applications, and planned improvements to internal and external communication.

Phase 1 (Ongoing): Identify target trusts, grant-making bodies, High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs), and corporates. Sources include the Church of England's central database, Cornerstone, and personal networks via Campaign Patrons.

Phase 2 (In progress): Scope requirements by building a task and requirements list once a target is identified, compiling this into a matrix to find common themes.
Phase 3 (In progress): Prioritise and complete necessary tasks and documents.
Phase 4 (In progress): Apply for grants once all prerequisites are complete.

3. Digital Infrastructure

The Board has:

Initiated and nearly completed a refresh of the website to update text and remove duplication and dated content. This is on track for a January relaunch (when Christmas content is removed).
Improved the accuracy of donor information, building a new simple fundraising database which will also become the main tool for event management and comms.

Campaign Progress

The Board is managing three distinct campaign goals under the emerging "Wonder and Welcome" umbrella.

Pamela Dow, Chair of the Fundraising Board

Charity Committee

The Charity Committee is the expression of Great St Bartholomew’s Christian vocation to help the poor and needy in our community as laid out in church teaching.

In 2025, the committee built on the successes of the previous year to strengthen the parish’s relationship with The Whitechapel Mission, a church-based homeless mission in the East End.

This involved three major aspects of activity: fundraising, volunteering directly, and collecting gifts.

Our first ever Lent appeal for The Whitechapel Mission took place from Shrove Tuesday to the Easter Vigil.

This was a resounding success, raising £5,514, enough to pay for breakfasts for the homeless in Whitechapel for an entire week.

Fundraising such an amount reflected not only a larger congregation, but that our community has a deep faith and wants to follow Jesus Christ. Thank you to all who donated.

We continued the tradition from last year in sending teams of volunteers from the parish to cook and serve breakfast to the homeless on bank holidays, when other forms of support often dry up.

Finally, over Advent in 2025, we collected gifts to take to the Whitechapel Mission, including winter equipment to be distributed over Christmas, as well as hygiene resources.

Like 2024, this was a great success with the parish collecting over a dozen boxes of supplies for the mission to distribute to those in need.

Thank you to all who donated, and special thanks to Fr Taylor Wilton-Morgan for ferrying the boxes over to the mission.

The Charity Committee undertook other activities in 2025 such as raising money for Movember, with Joshua Scott gathering together a team of our (male) parishioners to fundraise for men’s physical and mental wellbeing.

It was a great success, raising £2,828.

The Charity Committee chose to continue our support for the Whitechapel Mission in 2026 as our annual charity for the third year in a row. We are also looking into holding an event or service to raise money for the persecuted church around the world.

Patrick Hardy, Chairman of the Charity Committee

Fabric Committee

The Fabric Committee has been working to maintain and repair the buildings and contents of St Bartholomew the Great and St Bartholomew the Less. This includes completing scheduled works, responding to issues that develop, and planning future projects.

We are fortunate as a parish to have two beautiful and historic churches, and I would like to thank the members of the Fabric Committee for their efforts to ensure we can continue to use them and, where appropriate, make improvements.

The committee has completed further repairs to the “small” roofs, refurbished the choir room, extended Wi-Fi coverage, changed the door closers on the west doors, and repaired the clock bell chime of St Bartholomew the Great; we replaced a broken bell rope, fixed a broken window, and (with thanks to The League of St Bartholomew’s Nurses) repaired and repainted the altar rail in St Bartholomew the Less; also floor repairs were made in both St Bartholomew the Great and St Bartholomew the Less.

Maintenance programmes have continued including programmes to clear gutters and drains as well as updating electrical systems in St Bartholomew the Great and St Bartholomew the Less.

Plans are progressing with several major projects. In particular, the Fabric Committee have been considering how best to enable the installation of the new organ within the historic fabric of the church; as well as forming a project board to focus on delivering the much-needed repairs to the roof of St Bartholomew the Less, where the interior is showing evidence of water damage.

Other projects that are being planned for the year ahead include improvements to the lighting and floor repairs in the Lady Chapel; organ repairs in St Bartholomew the Less; stonework repairs in St Bartholomew the Great; and improving the accessibility of the North door.

These projects will require detailed planning and careful consideration of the historic fabric of our buildings as well as highly skilled contractors and significant capital. Ongoing charitable giving to the parish of Great St Bartholomew as well as successful grant applications will be required to complete these projects.

Joseph Hutchinson, Chairman of the Fabric Committee

Visitor Experience Committee

Signage

Signage inspection led to quotes for repainting noticeboards. Bart’s Hospital also approved repainting the perimeter wall finger sign. The metal “St Bartholomew the Great” sign will be moved above the coat of arms on the gatehouse gateway, pending discussions with the Gatehouse Trust regarding funding.

New 'Welcome” signs in multiple languages are in the west porch, and a “Who’s Who” poster is by the Cloister entrance. Servicetime and lavatory signs are up in St Bartholomewthe Great and the Less.

Volunteers’ Guide

A leaflet informing visitors how they can become involved in the life of St Bartholomew the Great and in particular letting them know of the voluntary activities they can join has been written and undergone several drafts. The final version is now awaiting printing.

Defibrillators and First-Aid

First Aid boxes in both the Great and the Less have been inspected and restocked; additionally, defibrillator location posters have been placed on the noticeboards in the Great (sidesmen's) and the Less.

Friends

The Friends programme really notched up a gear in 2025. We now have an automated database for members, and events were a regular feature of our weekly newsletters.

2025 Friends Events:

4th Feb: Talk by Prof. Julian Luxford on Prior Rahere's tomb
5th July: Walk on the South Downs Way
6th Sept: Garden Party in the Cloister
Dec: Reserved seating for carol services

Schools

Sarah Harrison & Gordon Fury toured 5-6 year olds from Gatehouse School and provided teaching sessions on 6th Oct and created an 'i-Spy St Bart’s Top Ten' for the welcome desk.

The Welcome Desk

The Welcome Desk had a very busy year, with around 20 volunteer Welcomers recording over 42,000 people coming through the West Porch doors over the course of 2025 (this number excludes those attending church services).

It was quite common to have 200-300 people a day. Visitors entered the church for all sorts of reasons, including to pray, to light a candle, to reflect, to paint and draw, to ask questions, to appreciate the architecture, to learn about the history, and just to soak up the atmosphere, and were of all ages and from all over the world.

The volunteer Welcomers also operated the small church shop, which achieved sales of just over £7,900 and generated a surplus for the Parish of just over £4,300 in 2025.

Martin Amherst Lock, Chairman of the Visitor Experience Committee

Major Projects Committee

The Major Projects Delivery Committee was formed in September 2025 to take forward the projects planned for the delivery of:

1.A new pipe organ to permanently replace the electronic organ that has been in use since 2010.
2.The renovations of St Bartholomew the Less, including a new roof and redecoration of the interior.
3.The redevelopment of St Bartholomew the Great. This includes 5 discrete projects: a new kitchen in the cloister; a new sacristy; replacement of the 1989 north annex with accessible toilets, flower room and platform lift to access the crypt; a new education centre in the crypt; and a columbarium in the renovated monastic gardens.

The first business of the new Major Projects Delivery Committee was to create a master plan for the delivery of the projects under its jurisdiction.

Drawing of the new organ

Ceiling of St Bartholomew the Less

Delivery on the milestones is largely on track:

Design work on the new organ has been completed, the old pipe organ was removed and sound testing has been performed. Removal of the organ exposed the west wall and we were relieved to find that its condition is ok.
A project board has been convened for organising the roof repairs. A preliminary roof inspection has occurred on roof of St Bartholomew the Less.

		Milestone Sign contract Remove old organ Begin construction (off-site) Deliver to London Inauguration Repair roof Renovate interior Complete RIBA Stage 3 & prepare for RIBA Stage 4 Complete RIBA Stage 4 (technical design) Complete cloister kitchen Complete new sacristy Complete monastic garden & columbarium Complete new north annex Complete education centre in the crypt
	Project	Milestone
	New Organ	Sign contract
		Remove old organ
		Begin construction (off-site)
		Deliver to London
		Inauguration
	The Less Renovation	Repair roof
		Renovate interior
	The Great Redevelopment	Complete RIBA Stage 3 & prepare for RIBA Stage 4
		Complete RIBA Stage 4 (technical design)
		Complete cloister kitchen
		Complete new sacristy
		Complete monastic garden & columbarium
		Complete new north annex
		Complete education centre in the crypt

The five Great redevelopment projects were first envisioned in our 900th anniversary year (2023). The pace of delivery may seem glacial as not much that can be seen has happened, but we have been moving forwards with and are nowaaaa very close to completing RIBA Stage 3 (detailed design stage).

During 2025, and following a detailed procurement process, we commissioned and received reports from mechanical & electrical consultants, structural engineering consultants and fire consultants. We have also selected Planning consultants to advise when we are ready to start the planning process.

Tracey Braddick, Chair of the Major Projects Delivery Committee

Financial Statements 44

r4 11

2025 FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial Review for the year ending 31st December 2025

In preparation for writing this review, I decided to trawl my way up into Church House and dig into the archives. My sojourn in the archives has been quite gratifying, for two reasons: (a) the picture has always looked difficult, (b) it gave me a view of my predecessors and their struggles and triumphs.

Back in 1697, Mr Laming, spent 1s 6d closing a ‘baudy house’ on Half Moon Alley (now Court), 2s 6d on ‘17 souldjers of Bellasis regiment come from France, hardly a ragg upon them‘ and 17s 6d on a Holy Thursday drinks party (the accounts defensively assert ‘it was a wet day [...] therefore dont blame me, you called for it I paid it’* - a comment I’m not sure would comply with the Charities SORP in today’s age).

Between 1933 and 1939, the Church Expenses account accumulated £554 worth of deficits (£31,723) and £128 worth of surpluses (£7,329). The situation steadily improved through the 1940s and 1950s, but it was only during the 1970s

	Treasurer TENURE Mr. Hunt 1937 - 1962 Peter Weatherill 1962 - 1994 Peter Vracas 1994 - 1997 Phillip Hollins 1997 - 2002 Nicholas Riddle 2002 - 2009 Sarah Kelsey 2009 - 2022 Jack Falkingham 2022 - 2024

aaaaaathat the reserves began to accumulate. A concentrated campaign to leverage ‘covenanted income’ (the precursor to modern GiftAid), alongside a major letter

writing campaign by Rector Wallbank and Peter Weatherill raised £25,000 for the reserves (£300k today).

During the late 1980s (where records resume) high utilities and the ever-growing demands of the Diocese of London marked the return of structural deficits until a Stewardship push in 1989 ends the year with a surplus of £1,448 (£3,882 in today’s money).

*Taken from Alfred E Webb’s The records of St Bartholomew’s priory and of the church and parish of St Bartholomew the Great, West Smithfield, Volume 2 published in 1921.

2025 FINANCIAL REVIEW

Most reassuringly of all, I learnt that 2025 was the new 2019 at St Bart’s; a year notable in our parish’s financial history because our unrestricted reserves take a notable shift upwards after 20 years of painful decline.

----- Start of picture text -----
350,000
300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
19971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
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Net Balances Carried Forward (1997 - 2025)

It was a notable step towards greater fiscal security for the parish, and it was principally achieved by filming income. Historically, St Bartholomew the Great was notoriously underpriced as a film venue.

----- Start of picture text -----
Revenue Expenses
800,000
600,000
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200,000
0
1998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
----- End of picture text -----

Total Incoming Resources and Total Resources Expended (1998 - 2025)

Whilst a very welcome step in the right direction, major film lettings revenue (hereafter “MFLR”), by its very nature, is a windfall. In 2025 we undertook an analysis of our filming revenue, and discovered that there is a 4.8% win rate on film enquiries. Compared to the win rate of most businesses (est. around 20 - 35%) this is a high risk business model.

2025 FINANCIAL REVIEW 2025 FINANCIAL REVIEW

2024 was a year bereft of any films. Our budget had assumed £99k worth of MFLR. That August, we were forecast to suffer a deficit of around £40k.

Through great effort, we managed to end that year with a net movement in unrestricted funds of -£13,923. Not as bad as we were expecting.

Painfully aware of our vulnerability, we launched the “Close the Filming Gap” campaign, beseeching the congregation to donate just £15 a month extra, estimating that this would remove our dependency on filming income to make ends meet.

I’m happy to report that we did it.

In 2025, if no MFLR had been received, our net movement in unrestricted funds would have been £3,634.aaaaaa

While this is a thin margin, it is a positive one, and achieving it is a massive feat for the church. We are officially no longer dependent on MLFR for day-to-day expenditure.

I ought to stress that this notion of a “structural net movement in unrestricted funds” is not an accounting concept. However, it is very important for governance and assuring donors. You will see that, in calculating this figure, we have included “strategic investments” – expenses that the PCC undertook as a result of having MFLR to spend.

While the 2025 sum was small, one can imagine that this might increase in the future and we want to ensure consistency in how we calculate this sum.

2025 FINANCIAL REVIEW

Cutting this dependency is part of a three-pronged plan:

1.Increasing the number of regular donors
2.Using technology (especially AI) to limit expense growth
3.A “little and often” commercial strategy – focusing on smaller, and preferably regular, lettings.

If the news wasn’t happy enough, after all of that, you might have noticed that filming did take place at St Bart’s in 2025.

£71.3k £253k £28.5k

Net unrestricted Unrestricted balance carried Emergency Repair incoming/(outgoing) resources forward at 31 December 2025 Designated Fund Balance

During the winter of 2023 - 24, our boiler broke down. Members of our community had to make the awful choice between their health and attending church. In response, the PCC determined that it would not only target greater reserves, but would also aim to build up an Emergency Repair Designated Fund – a strategic warchest against any

such emergency that might occur in the future. Thanks to the work of the finance team, the Church Office, the clergy, our volunteers, and the generosity of our congregation, all of that filming income has gone to either strategic investments in our parish growth, the Emergency Repair Fund, or our reserves.

A journey that began in 2019 came to an end in 2025. The fight for fiscal sustainability has been won.

That position will come under threat in the years to come – installing our organ and rebuilding the annex will dent our income – but 2025 was the year that gave St Bart’s a strong chance of reaching its 1,000th anniversary.

Christopher Marland, Treasurer

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

THE PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW, LONDON EC1A 7JQ

Rector

The Reverend Marcus Walker

Parish Clerk

Roy Sully (SBG) Paul Simmons (SBL)

Assistant Priest

The Reverend Taylor Wilton-Morgan Director of Music

Rupert Gough

Churchwardens

Harry Cowd Surveyor to the Fabric Charles Spanton Martin Ashley

Address

SBG Parish Office, Church House, Cloth Fair, London, EC1A 7JQ

Bankers

HSBC, 31 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HR

Auditor

J Tyrrell, RPG Crouch Chapman LLP, 40 Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 0BT

Aim and Purposes

The Parochial Church Council is a body corporate and a registered charity (no 1163024) with effect from 5 August 2015 following the Pastoral Scheme of the Church Commissioners, effective from 1 June 2015, which united the parishes of St Bartholomew the Great and St Bartholomew the Less in a single Benefice and Parish.

Its primary functions (as defined by the Synodical Government Measure 1969) are consultation with the Rector on matters of general concern and importance to the parish and co-operation with the Rector in ‘promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.’

It has overall responsibility for the financial affairs of the Church and for the care, maintenance, preservation and insurance of the fabric of the church and of its goods and ornaments. It has power to frame a budget, raise, collect and allocate moneys, levy and collect a voluntary church rate, and to employ staff.

PCC members are elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. The Parish Office facilitates the induction of new members.

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Membership

Members of the PCC fall into three categories: ex officio, elected and co-opted. The Rector and Churchwardens, and the representatives of the Parish on the Deanery Synod, are ex officio members. Co-options are for one year at a time. During the period covered by this report, the PCC comprised the following:

Ex Officio Details	Position
The Revd Marcus Walker *	Rector
The Revd Taylor Wilton-Morgan	Assistant Priest
Christin Cockerton *	Deanery Synod (2026)
Timothy Foot *	Deanery Synod (2026) Vice Chairman
Patrick Hardy *	Deanery Synod (2026)
Joseph Hutchinson *	Deanery Synod (2026)
Nicholas Riddle	Deanery Synod (2026)
Owen Sparkes*	Deanery Synod (2026) Secretary (since May)
Harry Cowd *	Churchwarden
Charles Spanton*	Churchwarden
Elected Details	Date of retirement/re-election
Tracey Braddick *	2027 Deputy Churchwarden
James Brandreth	2027
Paul Carter	2026
Glynn Huaraka*	2026 Deputy Churchwarden
Jonathan Johnson	2025
Alison Knapp	2027
Ian Kelly	2025
Martin Amherst Lock *	2027
Sarah Kelsey	2026
Christopher Marland*	2026 Treasurer
Henry Mitson*	2026 Secretary (until May)
Lorena Oberg	2027
Paul Simmons	2025
Sophy Tuck	2025
Elena Unger	2025
Avril Gaynor	2027
William Richards	2028
Uther Shackerley-Bennett	2028
Roy Sully	2028
Co-opted Details	Date of retirement/re-cooption
Sarah Harrison	2026

indicates members of the Standing Committee at any point in the year.

Names in Bold are of members in office at the end of 2025.

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Objectives and activities

Our charitable purpose is the promotion within the Parish of the whole mission of the Church. This includes specifically religious activities, the relief of poverty, the promotion of the arts, and the conservation of our heritage. During 2024 the PCC, in accordance with its Fundamental Policies, has ensured the provision of:

education in the Christian Faith
Christian worship with a high standard of religious music
facilities for visitors to enable them to better understand the building, its history and purposes.

It has also expended resources on:

The care and security of the building

The employment and training of staff

the conservation of the fabric, goods and ornaments

Reserves policy

The PCC has a policy to maintain unrestricted reserves at a level of £100,000 to cover unplanned emergency repair work and other expenditure. In 2026, the PCC will be reviewing this policy in line with the growth in our activities as a charity. The unrestricted reserves as at 31 December 2025 stood at £253,024. The PCC is committed to monitoring expenditure and identifying further cost reductions wherever possible in the forthcoming years as well as continuing to develop new income sources.

Going concern policy

Having assessed the Charity’s financial circumstances the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue its operations for the foreseeable future.

Fundraising

All fundraising activities have been coordinated from the Parish Office. We have sought to raise funds through the Parish Stewardship scheme and by launching appeals for specific purposes. During the year, the church did not receive any complaints about its fundraising activities and practices.

Risk assessment

The PCC’s risk assessment and management policy has again been reviewed during the year as have its insurances. Risks are considered in terms of the wider environment in which the PCC operates. The financial climate, society and its attitudes, the natural environment and changes in the law, technology and knowledge will affect the types and impact of the risks to which the PCC is exposed.

Investment policy

Funds held for the short term are invested in CBF Church of England deposits; and for longer term in CBF Church of England investment funds. The PCC is reviewing this policy in 2026.

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is taken seriously. Our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Sarah Harrison, cooperates with the Clergy and the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer in responding to any concerns raised. Checks are made in compliance with CofE guidelines. In addition to the Churchwardens and members of the PCC, many of our volunteers have completed the recommended safeguarding training courses. Safeguarding is on the agenda for all meetings of the PCC.

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 the House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Trustees’ Statement of Responsibility in Relation to the Accounts

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial 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 these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
Observe the methods and principles in the 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; and
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 enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Marcus Walker,

On behalf of the PCC, (Chairman) April 2026

2025 Auditor’s REport

Auditor's Report

To the Trustees of The Parochial Church Council of The Ecclesiastical Parish of Great St Bartholomew ('the charity')

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The The PCC of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Great St Bartholomew (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 December 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard{N#}, and we have fulfilledother ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

2025 Auditor’s REport 2025 auditor’s report

In our evaluation of the Trustees' conclusions, we considered the risks associated with the charity's business model, including the effects arising from macro-economic uncertainties and analysed how those risks might affect the charity's financial resources or ability to continue operations over the period of twelve months from the charity's date when the financial statements are authorised for issue. In accordance with the above, we have nothing to report in these respects. However, as we cannot predict all future events or conditions and as subsequent events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements that were reasonable at the time they were made, the absence of reference to a material uncertainty in this auditor's report is not a guarantee that the charity will continue in operation.

Other Information

The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and Auditors' Report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and , we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

Capability of the audit to detect irregulates including fraud

We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the charity and the industry in which it operates, and considered the risk of acts by the charity which were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud. These included, but were not limited to, compliance with the Charities Act 2011 and FRS102.

We designed audit procedures to respond to the risk, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material stat misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment.

We focused on laws and regulations that could give rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements. Our tests included, but were not limited to:

agreement of the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation; enquiries of management
review of minutes of board meetings throughout the period; and
obtaining an understanding of the control environment in monitoring compliance with laws and regulations

2025 Auditor’s REport 2025 auditor’s report

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or noncompliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in opinion:

the information given in the Trustees' Report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or
proper accounting records have not been kept; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for audit

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' Responsibilities Statement, set out on page 53, the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' Report that includes opinion.

2025 Auditor’s REport 2025 auditor’s report

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting fraud are outlined above.

A further description of responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of Auditors' Report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and its trustees, as a body, for audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Signed: Date:

JEREMY TYRRELL

RPG CROUCH CHAPMAN LLP Chartered Accountants 40 Gracechurch Street London EC3V 0B

RPG Crouch Chapman LLP are eligible to act as auditors in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

BALANCE SHEET

Registered charity number 1163024

The financial statements on pages 61 to 79 were approved by the Parochial Church Council on 28th April 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Marcus Walker, Rector

Christopher Marland, Treasurer

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

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

1. Summary of significant accounting policies

a) General information and basis of preparation

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention except for the revaluation of investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements are prepared in sterling and rounded to the nearest £.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

b) Funds

Unrestricted funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application to the general purposes of the PCC.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the PCC for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are those which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the PCC for particular purposes. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

The accounts do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor of those that are informal gatherings of Church members.

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

c) Income recognition

Income from donations including open plate collections at services is recognised on receipt.

Planned giving receivable under Gift Aid is recognised only when received and the related income tax recoverable is accrued.

Legacy income is recognised when the PCC becomes aware that probate has been granted, there are sufficient assets in the estate to pay the legacy and that any conditions attached to the legacy are either in the control of the PCC or have already been met. On occasion legacies will be notified where it is not possible to measure the amount expected to be distributed with sufficient reliability. On these occasions, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed.

Income from other charitable activities such as weddings, memorial services, livery services etc. is recognised at the date of the service.

Income from trading activities includes income from fundraising events and trading activities to raise funds for the PCC. Income is received in exchange for supplying goods and services and is recognised when entitlement has occurred.

Rental income from the letting of church premises for concerts, filming and other events is recognised when the rental is due.

Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue.

d) Expenditure recognition

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. It is categorised under the following headings:

costs of raising funds comprise the costs of the trading activities and their associated support costs.

expenditure on charitable activities which includes the direct costs of the Church and its mission as well as costs incurred in support of these activities.

e) Fixed assets

Consecrated land and buildings and moveable church furnishings.

Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by Section 10(2)(a) of the Charities Act 2011.

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Movable church furnishings held by the Rector and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC, and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted for as inalienable property unless consecrated. For inalienable property acquired prior to 31 December 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the accounts. Items acquired since 1 January 2001 are capitalised and depreciated in the accounts over their expected useful economic lives on a straight-line basis.

Cloister, organ, computer and other equipment

Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis over 10, 5 and 3 years, depending on the nature of the equipment. Small items of equipment are written off when the asset is acquired.

f) Investments

Investments are measured at fair value at each balance sheet date with changes in fair value recognised in 'net gains / losses on investments' in the SoFA.

g) Stocks

Stock is included at the lower of cost or net realisable value after making due allowance for any obsolete or slow-moving items.

h) Financial instruments

The church only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

i) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.

j) Short term deposits

Short term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England Funds or at the bank.

k) Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

l) Taxation

The PCC meets the definition of a charity for UK tax purposes and is therefore not subject to tax on its income providing it is applied for charitable purposes.

m) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. However, the trustees are of the opinion that there are no estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

n) Going Concern

The PCC considers that there are no material uncertainties about the ability to continue as a going concern.

2. Legal status of the PCC

The PCC is a body corporate under the provisions of the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956.

3. Income from donations and legacies

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

4. Income from charitable activities

5. Income from trading activities

6. Income from investments

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

7. Sundry income

8. Resources expended on charitable activities

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

9. Resources expended on trading activities

10(a). Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses

No employees had employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2024: nil).

10(b). Transactions with PCC member and Key Management Personnel (KMP)

During the year, there were 30 members of the PCC (2024: 26). These members, along with close family members, donated £53,331 (2024: £48,801) to the PCC. No sole PCC member held control or significant influence over the affairs of the PCC during the year, nor was any member of the PCC during the year remunerated for being a member. No expenses were reimbursed to the PCC members in the course of their roles as members.

The PCC had one member (2024: 0) who was also an employee of the PCC, and no close family members, whose aggregate remuneration paid amounted to £2,873 (2024: 0). The following payments were made to members of the PCC for professional services supplied to the PCC: Mrs S Kelsey £3,640 for bookkeeping services (2024: £3,640).

During the year, 2 members of the PCC (2024: 2) were part of the ordained clergy, the Revd. Marcus Walker and the Revd. Taylor Wilton-Morgan.

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Most Church of England clergy are not employees, and the courts have consistently held that Church of England clergy who are licensed by the bishop to the exercise of ministry in an ecclesiastical parish or district are, instead, office holders.

As the incumbent, on common tenure, the Revd. Marcus Walker’s stipendiary and housing costs are covered by the Diocese of London (‘LDF’, charity no. 241083), broken down below:

To support the LDF in providing stipends and housing to clergy, the PCC make a voluntary donation to the LDF known as a ‘Common Fund Contribution’. In 2025, incumbent-related expenses amounted to 64% (2024: 60%) of the £103,105 (2024: £92,000) donated to the LDF

The PCC pays water rates for the rectory, which totalled £1,549.22 (2024: £377.69).

Additionally, in 2025, the PCC participated in the Ministry Experience Scheme (MES), a programme provided by the Church of England to those aged between 18 to 29 to provide them with experience of Anglican ministry and parish life, and has been running for over 10 years.

Participating parishes are expected to cover accommodation and stipendiary costs of the volunteer intern. The PCC entered into an agreement with the Revd. Marcus Walker – signed by Timothy Foot, as Lay Vice Chair – for the provision of accommodation to the MES intern. Payments made to the Revd. Marcus Walker by the PCC under this agreement totalled £6,300 (2024: £4,500).

The Revd. Taylor Wilton-Morgan is licensed to the parish, under common tenure, as a ‘Locally Supported Post’, which means the PCC has agreed to reimburse the LDF for his stipendiary costs. In 2025, these costs amounted to £42,610 (2024: £41,140).

Accommodation costs for the post are wholly paid for by the PCC, and amounted to £35,102 in 2025 (2024: £35,222). The Gatehouse Trust generously subsidises these costs and made grants during the course of the year amounting to £30,000 (2024: £36,800).

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

11. Staff numbers

The average monthly headcount was 4.5 staff (2024: 4 staff) and the average monthly number of full-time equivalent employees (including casual and part time staff) during the year was as follows:

12. Tangible fixed assets

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

13(a). Investments

The investments with the Central Board of Finance of the Church of England are 34,497 (2024: 35,553) units in the Fixed Interest Securities Fund.

The Huntington Legacy comprised investments held on trust by the London Diocesan Fund in respect of that legacy. During 2025, the investments were sold and the proceeds of £23,044 were transferred to the unrestricted funds of the PCC to be used for major unexpected repairs to the fabric of the Priory Church as permitted under the terms of the bequest.

In March 2025, a generous donor made a donation of investment units to the PCC and to the Great St Bartholomew Music Foundation via a Declaration of Trust. The donated investments comprised 537,634 units in the Coutts Managed Ambitious Fund and 282,485 units in the Coutts Managed Balanced Fund. These investments were sold on 21 March 2025, realising total proceeds of £1,009,443.

The PCC's 50% share (£504,722) was received during the year and is included in restricted donations (Notes 3 & 18) for the specific purpose of purchasing, building, installing and maintaining a new organ in the Church. The Music Foundation's 50% share (£504,721) was held by the donor's solicitors at the year end pending establishment of appropriate governance arrangements for the Music Foundation to receive the funds. No investment units were held by the PCC at 31 December 2025 in respect of this donation.

13(b). St Bartholomew Enterprises Ltd

The PCC holds 100 shares of £1 each in its wholly owned trading subsidiary company St Bartholomew Enterprises Ltd which is incorporated in the United Kingdom. These are the only shares allotted, called up and fully paid. The company has not traded during the year.

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

13(c). Quoted Investments (Organ Fund)

14. Stock

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

15. Debtors

16(a). Creditors due within one year

16(b). Creditors due after more than one year

Details of this loan are shown in Note 18.

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

17. Repairs

No provision has been made in these financial statements in respect of liabilities for maintenance of the buildings. The most recent quinquennial inspection was undertaken in February 2022 and a maintenance programme for the necessary works was completed in 2025.

18(a). Restricted funds

Movement in Funds - 2025

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

18(a). Restricted funds

Movement in Funds - 2024

The 100 Club was started in 2008 as a means of raising money to support the work of the Priory Church. Members pay £10 per month into a fund, from which 16.7% is taken annually in four instalments to provide cash prizes in various denominations to the club's members. The remainder of the cash in the fund is available for fabric projects. This is treated as a restricted fund to maintain visibility of the project and to manage control of the prize component of the fund.

The Art Exhibition refers to the art exhibitions hosted between 20th April - 3rd May 2023 and 27th May - 13th June 2025.

The Assistant Priest’s Accommodation Fund was established to receive grants from the St Bartholomew’s Gatehouse Trust (charity no. 211859) for the rental costs associated with housing an Assistant Priest.

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

The Butterworth Charity is distributed every Good Friday, generally in the form of hot cross buns. The income derives from collections at the service.

The Charity Committee Fund was set up to receive donations for the Parish's nominated charity from a variety of activities organised in the Parish.

The Choir and Music Fund was established to receive funds towards the costs of the choir for special services.

The Choral Scholarship Fund provides funding to allow music students to gain experience of participating in the choral traditions of the Parish.

The Columbarium Fund represents deposits received against future sales of niches when the Columbarium is built.

The funds for the Education Project are to be applied to enhancing the educational material in the two churches of the Parish.

The Fabric Fund is held for fabric projects and repairs and is financed by a share of collections held at special services and by specific donations and legacies.

The Garden Fund is held for maintenance of the gardens surrounding the priory church.

The Huntington Legacy is represented by specific investments, as explained in note 13, which are under the control of the London Diocesan Fund. Under the terms of the bequest the fund is to be applied for major unexpected repairs to the fabric of the Priory Church. The fund received interest in the year and was revalued upwards.

Idie's Flower Fund was formed as a result of a generous bequest by the late Iris V. Wharton. Additions are made to the fund from time to time from specific fund raising events, donations for flowers and from interest on the fund's bank account. The income of the fund is used to provide flowers for services on those occasions when flowers are not provided from external sources.

The Lent Appeal was established for the collection of donations to support the nominated charity during the Parish's Lent Appeal.

The Livestreaming Equipment Fund represents specific grant funding to allow the Parish to upgrade its livestreaming equipment.

The Organ Fund was established to fund the purchase of the new organ from Hermann Eule Orgelbau, and all associated installation works.

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

The Benjamin Franklin Exhibition took place in February 2025 to commemorate the 300th Anniversary of Benjamin Franklin beginning his internship in the Lady Chapel of St Bartholomew the Great.

The Priory Coat of Arms Fund was established to receive donations towards the cost of purchasing a Coat of Arms for the church from the College of Arms.

The Roof Fund was established to fund the necessary works identified in the quinquennial report of 2009. Substantial repairs were carried out to the Quire roof with the second stage of the project being completed in 2012. The remaining funds were applied to the continuing programme of roof repair works completed in 2024.

The 900th Anniversary Fund has been established to receive donations towards the 900th Fundraising Appeal.

The What Makes a Londoner fund was established for the purpose of holding funds granted to the PCC for the 2024 project 'What Makes a Londoner?: Building Modern Communities Through London’s Early Modern Heritage' carried out in conjunction with Queen Mary and the University of Exeter.

The Friends of St Bartholomew the Less is primarily used for fabric related expenditure for St Bartholomew the Less Church.

The SBL Ministry Fund receives grant funding specifically for the provision of Anglican Ministry services at St Bartholomew the Less.

The 900th Anniversary Fund has been established to receive donations towards the 900th Fundraising Appeal.

18(b). Designated funds

Movement in Funds - 2025

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

The PCC created the Emergency Repair Fund in response to the breakdown of the boiler at St Bartholomew the Great in 2022; a ring-fenced fund for covering unexpected, but necessary, expenses to maintain the day-to-day running of the church.

At the end of the year, the PCC resolved to transfer the lesser of either of the two following sums into the Emergency Repair Fund unless the PCC explicitly votes for a different sum:

i. 40% of all major film lettings revenue

ii. 40% of all surplus unrestricted funds

Any withdrawals from the designated account must first be approved by a majority of the Standing Committee.

19. Related party transactions

The Rector, and the Churchwardens who acted during the year— Charles Spanton and Harry Cowd are ex officio trustees of The St. Bartholomew the Great Heritage Trust, The St Bartholomew's Gatehouse Trust and The Great St Bartholomew Music Foundation. There are other trustees of these two Trusts and CIO.

The PCC has borrowed £65,000 from the Heritage Trust to fund the Cloister development works. Interest at 2.7% per annum is payable on the loan. The original five year repayment date has been extended with agreement from the Trustees of the Heritage Trust. The loan principal will be repaid in 2026.

The PCC also received donations of £39,000 from the Heritage Trust (2024: £69,789) and £56,800 from the Gatehouse Trust (2024: £31,800).

20. Analysis of net assets between funds

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

21. Financial instruments

Financial assets measured at fair value through the Statement of Financial Activities represent fixed asset investments.

22. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW ANNUAL REPORT 2025

23. Analysis of Cash and Cash Equivalents

24. Analysis of changes in net debt

25. Capital Commitments

As of 18th May 2025, the PCC had entered into a contract of €1,842,712 (£1,603,159 at 31st December 2025) with Hermann Eule Orgelbau GmbH for the construction of a new organ.

As of 31st December 2025, the PCC had paid 25% of the costs (£385,247 at the time the transactions took place), and a further €1,382,034 remains to be covered over the course of 2026 - 2028 (£1,202,370 at 31st December 2025).

The contract includes accommodation costs for the organ builders, which is estimated to be circa. £40,000.

© The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Great St Bartholomew, 2026 All rights reserved No part of this report, including images, may be reproduced or stored on an authorised retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior permission of the publisher.

Contents

Foreword by the Rector

Foreword by the Wardens

Harry Cowd, Churchwarden

The magnificence and drama of the building

The inspiring beauty of our traditional services

The sublime music heard here

Our Vision to increase wonder further...

Bringing the past into the future...

Making Our Vision a Reality

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 1

Phase 2

Nine Centuries

etched in stone and shadow

Witnessing 902 years

Achievements and performance

Church Office

Rose Murphy.

Church Manager

The Musical Life of the Parish in 2025

St Bart’s The Less

Mission & Outreach

Children and Young Families

Christianity in daily life

Young Adults Retreat

Ministry of Welcome

Fundraising Board

High-Level Strategy and Approach

1. Unified Narrative: "Wonder and Welcome"

2. The “Tetris” Approach

3. Digital Infrastructure

Campaign Progress

Charity Committee

This was a resounding success, raising £5,514, enough to pay for breakfasts for the homeless in Whitechapel for an entire week.

It was a great success, raising £2,828.

Fabric Committee

Visitor Experience Committee

Signage

Volunteers’ Guide

Defibrillators and First-Aid

Friends

Schools

The Welcome Desk

Major Projects Committee

Financial Review for the year ending 31st December 2025

Net Balances Carried Forward (1997 - 2025)

Total Incoming Resources and Total Resources Expended (1998 - 2025)

I’m happy to report that we did it.

£71.3k £253k £28.5k

Christopher Marland, Treasurer

THE PARISH OF GREAT ST BARTHOLOMEW, LONDON EC1A 7JQ

Rector

Parish Clerk

Assistant Priest

Churchwardens

Address

Bankers

Auditor

Aim and Purposes

Membership

Objectives and activities

Reserves policy

Going concern policy

Fundraising

Risk assessment

Investment policy

Safeguarding

Trustees’ Statement of Responsibility in Relation to the Accounts

Auditor's Report

To the Trustees of The Parochial Church Council of The Ecclesiastical Parish of Great St Bartholomew ('the charity')

Opinion

Basis for Opinion

Conclusions relating to going concern

Other Information

Capability of the audit to detect irregulates including fraud

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

Responsibilities of trustees