The United Guilds’ Service and Lunch will be taking place on Friday 1st April 2022 at St. Paul’s Cathedral and Butchers’ Hall.

Origins of the United Guilds’ Service

At a meeting of the Masters and Prime Wardens of the Twelve Great Companies, held at Goldsmiths’ Hall on 1 February 1943, it was decided to hold a service in St Paul’s Cathedral for the Livery Companies and guilds of the City of London, the idea being to help lift the spirits of the City following the Blitz during the Second World War.

Having regard to the religious origins of the Companies, the service is held each year on Lady Day, being the first day of the year according to the Julian Calendar.  Along with the Sheriffs and Court of Aldermen, The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Samuel Joseph, attended the first service at which the Rt Rev The Lord Bishop of London, Dr G F Fisher preached the sermon

As far as records show, this was the first occasion on which all the Livery Companies and Guilds of the City combined to hold a religious service.  Since then, it has become an annual event and remains one of the few occasions in the calendar at which the Livery Companies and Guilds of the City can gather together as a whole.

The Service is one of the few occasions in the Livery calendar at which all the Livery Companies and Guilds of the City can gather together as a whole – it is always a spectacular occasion, and one not to be missed if you haven’t attended before.

We have a limited number of tickets – 9 reserved seats for the Court and 13 unreserved seats for Members of the Company – for the United Guilds’ Service. Tickets will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis, with no bookings for the service being taken after Friday 25th March 2022. If you would like a ticket, please email the Clerk to request a booking form: [email protected]

For lunch following the service, we have reserved 15 places at Butchers’ Hall.  The cost is £75.00 per head (inc VAT) for a 3 course carvery lunch, including reception drinks and wine during the meal, followed by tea, coffee, and petit fours.  If you would like to attend the lunch, please email the Clerk to request a booking form: [email protected]. Bookings for lunch will close on 24th March 2022.