A History of St Paul's and the American People

A HISTORY OF ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL
AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

by Peter Chapman

Each Thanksgiving Day St Paul's Cathedral becomes the Church of the American Community in London. This has been so through good times and bad, since 1958 when the American Memorial Chapel at the east end of the Cathedral was dedicated.

In the Second World War 28,000 Americans died whilst based in Britain. This book tells the fascinating story of how the Chapel, created in their memory, was conceived. It also describes how the Chapel is playing a living role fifty years later, in today's world.

There is a relationship between the Cathedral and the American people which runs beyond even the shared mourning of wartime loss. Peter Chapman's research recounts historic events which have served to strengthen this bond.

This history is accompanied by beautiful illustrations dating back to the 1940's as well as specially commissioned new photography.
Hardback  24cm x 17cm

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peter Chapman was admitted to the Choir of St Paul's Cathedral in 1951. He sang at the Queen's Coronation in 1953 and was head choristor in 1956. He continued his education at St John's School, Leatherhead and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. He spent his career in the profession and retired in 1998 from his firm which is now part of PricewaterhouseCoopers. He became a senior adviser to the Bank of England and then the Financial Services Authority, retiring in January 2006.

In 2000 he was appointed the first Lay Canon and a member of the Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral. In that role he also acted as Vice Chairman of the St Paul's Cathedral Foundation which has raised £40 million for the 2008 campaign for the cleaning and restoration of the Cathedral. He is married to Stephanie and they have two sons. His interests include music, golf and travel.