Following the continued support of the Chartered Accountants Livery Charity, WCCAEW members and guests are invited to attend a performance of Haydn’s Nelson Mass on Sunday 9 July at 11.15am, followed by drinks in the Chapter House.

The St Paul’s Cathedral Choir and the City of London Sinfonia will perform Haydn’s Missa in angustiis at this Sung Eucharist.  This work which translates as ‘Mass for troubled times,’ is one of the six masses written near the end of Joseph Haydn’s life.  Also known as the ‘Nelson Mass’ it was first performed in 1798.

Based on a German tradition, where every movement of a mass is performed with an orchestra, this Orchestral Mass has become a well-established and popular highlight at St Paul’s Cathedral – proving a significant draw for worshippers and visitors alike.

The Covid pandemic had a hugely negative impact on St Paul’s Cathedral’s finances. Historically the Cathedral has been heavily reliant on visitor (especially tourist) income to provide 80% of the running costs. They have had to make significant financial savings since 2020 to sustain their operations, including reducing their workforce by 25%, and cutting back on some of their operations including reducing the activity of their famous Choir.

St Paul’s Cathedral’s traditional Orchestral Mass series of four performances is entirely subject to the Cathedral receiving funding. There were no such Masses in 2020 or 2021 and just one in 2022 which was only made possible thanks to the Chartered Accountants Livery Charity grant and our Music Patrons support.

What can I expect?

Sung Eucharists is the high point of our weekly worship, engaging the senses with sound, colour and movement. This service includes choral and orchestral music, hymn singing and a sermon,

During the service, the congregation will be invited to share in the bread and wine. If you receive communion in your own church, you are welcome to receive communion here. If you do not normally receive communion, you are invited to come forward and receive a blessing.

You do not have to be a practicing member of the Church of England to attend the Eucharist. If you are unfamiliar with the service, you can pick up an easy-to-follow order of service at the beginning, which will guide you through each part. Visit our guidance on attending services at St Paul’s for more information on what to expect.

Reserve your place below

There are limited places available for the drinks reception in the Chapter House so these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. However, there are unlimited places for the service.