St Bride's Church, The Journalists' Church

14/06/2026

Join The Revd Canon Dr Alison Joyce, Rector of St Bride's, and St Bride's Choir for this week's reflection in words and music.

The choir anthem this week is a chorus from the 1836 oratorio "St Paul" by Felix Mendelssohn: "How lovely are the messengers that bring us the Gospel of peace". It is a beautifully crafted piece which has become a favourite stand-alone anthem of parish and cathedral choirs.

The anthem's text is a paraphrase from Paul's Epistle to the Romans from which we hear further in this week's scriptural reading, which speaks of the peace and hope we have with God through Jesus.

Alison recalls a particular taxi journey which reaffirmed her awe at the wit and wisdom of London cab drivers. This particular driver surprised her by describing a series of actions which lead to suffering and then to faith that echo Paul's words from Romans.

We close with the hymn "Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour" which is the best known of George Hugh Borne, a 19th century English clergyman and headmaster.

Information about our weekly Sunday services in St Bride's of Choral Eucharist at 11am (www.stbrides.com/worship-music/wo…horal-eucharist/) and Choral Evensong at 5:30pm (www.stbrides.com/worship-music/wo…choral-evensong/) can be found on the website.

Find out what's happening at St Bride's at www.stbrides.com/whats-on

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We are hugely grateful for people's generosity which we wholly rely on to continue our work, maintain our wonderful architectural heritage and support world-class music-making. People are often surprised to learn that St Bride's receives no external funding.

If you would like to make a donation, you can do so at www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet

12/06/2026

The fabulous St Bride's Choir has a wonderful selection of music for us at this Sunday's two choral services.

Lennox Berkeley's "Missa brevis" was written for Westminster Cathedral Choir and is a fine example of how to write music for liturgical use as well as a beautiful, understated setting. Both his sons where singing in the choir at the piece's premier. "How lovely are the messengers" is a chorus from Mendelssohn's great oratorio "St Paul" but is now a stand-alone favourite for choirs across the land.

Choral Evensong presents a feast of music by William Walton, one of the best British composers of the 20th century and a prominent figure in the arts. The service rounds off triumphantly with his splendid "Crown Imperial" march which was written for the coronation of George VI.

All welcome as usual!

10/06/2026

Our friends from the charity Adfam – which helps those affected by other people's substance use – recently held a song-writing workshop at St Bride's supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund .

In the calm and beautiful setting of St Bride's, a group came together to write and perform a song inspired by their experience of the church.

Adfam recognises the power of such creative collaboration to help people navigate complex emotions and, by singing together, build confidence in their own, independent voices. Music is a huge part of the life of St Bride's and we couldn't agree more.

This event was part of our community engagement. Our thanks to pianist Jessie Maryon Davies and percussionist Rosie Bergonzi who led the workshop.

You can listen to the song on YouTube which sets these touching lyrics which the group wrote:

In a city that changes
A space that stays still
Still safe
Carved with the courage of many hands
A light shining in the darkness

From the Roman remains
To the tip of the spire
Layers on layers on layers

Heart of the city
Beat of the city
The church of the people

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/06/2026

The need for rigorous, insightful journalism has never been clearer and as the we are here to support all who strive to provide that, of all faiths and none.

Good journalism was very much in evidence at a fascinating talk we recently hosted as part of Fleet Street Quarter’s excellent "Festival of Words" which brought together four political editors to discuss "Political Journalism in an Unstable World"

In a wide ranging discussion, they spoke about how journalists are struggling in a world dominated by spin, misinformation and unreliable online content, forcing them to spend increasing time debunking falsehoods while trying to extract accurate information from a chaotic political environment.

They also highlighted failing government communications, reduced media access, and the challenge of reaching audiences on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where political messages often circulate unchallenged.

Our thanks to all involved in organising and supporting the festival and especially to our contributors:

Caroline Wheeler – political editor for The i Newspaper
Jason Groves – political editor for The Daily Mail
Jack Elsom – political editor for The Sun
Jessica Elgot – deputy political editor, The Guardian
Damian Collins – Chair

02/06/2026

'"Life is a bubble" – discuss' is the essence of a request in the Will of Richard Johnson – a former member of the Worshipful Company Of Stationers and Newspaper Makers who died in 1795. He bequeathed funds to the Company and requested his grave be inspected and a yearly sermon preached on the text "Vita humana bulla est" on the anniversary of his father's death. Today the Rector takes on the preaching challenge at the annual service for the Company.

St Bride's Choir also always sings what has become known as the Bubble Anthem: "I'm forever blowing bubbles", a perennial favourite for over 100 years and now also associated with a particular London football club.

It is a great pleasure to welcome back members of the Company as they return to their home church for the service today.

Wonderful arrangement by Andrew Gant of this classic by Kenbrovin/Kellette. Soloist: Claire Seaton [Aka the Westham anthem]

29/05/2026

This Sunday we celebrate Trinity Sunday, one of the great feast days of the Christian year.

At 11am, we welcome back St Bride’s Orchestra to accompany the choir in Mozart’s 'Mass in honour of the most Holy Trinity.' It was written to satisfy Archbishop Colloredo’s strict rules for brevity and restraint — though Mozart couldn’t resist slipping in trumpets, timpani, and a touch more exuberance than the Archbishop had in mind!

Choral Evensong at 5:30pm includes more music for Trinity Sunday – Gabriel Jackson’s 'Hymn to the Trinity'. Jackson is steeped in the Anglican tradition as the son of a clergyman and a former Canterbury Cathedral chorister. He is also a three‑time Ivors Academy award‑winner.

All warmly welcome as usual!

The wonderful oil on wood painting is by the 15th century, Lyon-based painter Laurent Giardin.

Credit: The Trinity, c. 1460. Laurent Girardin (French, 1478). Oil on wood; framed: 134.5 x 114.5 x 8 cm (52 15/16 x 45 1/16 x 3 1/8 in.); unframed: 114 x 94.5 cm (44 7/8 x 37 3/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund, 1960.79