Parish & Ward Church of St. Botolph without Bishopsgate

Welcome to St. Botolph's

St. Botolph's is a living church set in the heart of the City of London.

We are an Anglican Christian community, a Parish Church of the Church of England, and committed to a welcoming and inclusive ministry in London's financial centre.

The church is open every weekday from 7.30am to 5.30pm and regular services are held every Wednesday (1.10pm) and Thursday (12.10pm) lunchtimes. Services last no longer than 50 minutes.

From whatever religious background you come, from any faith, or from none, please know you are welcome. We encourage you to visit our wonderful church to rest, to reflect, or to join us in prayer.

From your new parish priest, Fr David Armstrong

The patron saint of our church is St Botolph, a Benedictine monk and the patron saint of wayfarers. One of the rules of Benedictine monasteries throughout the world is that all guests are to be welcomed as Christ himself, for Christ said: I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I intend to honour that Benedictine rule in all my ministry at St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate now and in the years to come.
St Botolph’s sits just outside (without) what was Bishop’s Gate, one of the gates of the City of London. It was built there as a place of sanctuary for wayfarers and travellers. This tradition of welcoming all without partiality and providing sanctuary to all those in any kind of need will be fundamental to my ministry at St Botolph’s.
As the new parish priest dedicated to St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate I will strive to build on the church’s tradition of welcome. Wherever possible, I will make myself available to all who come in need. In the stresses and pressures of the City the parish priest is someone on hand to support and to listen in confidence – you can tell a priest, because a priest tells no one but God.
I shall be based in St Botolph’s church and will make it my business to meet as many people as possible who live or work in, or are passing through the parish. If you see me in the street please say hello; if you want to come and see me at the church, my door is open. If you want some peace and sanctuary in the business of the City, St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate is here for you, and all will be welcome as Christ himself.
I look forward to meeting you,
With God’s love and blessing,
Fr David