History and Architecture
Now known as the Guild Church to Finance, Commerce and Industry, the present building dates from 1630, although the tower dates from 1504 and was part of the previous church on the site, which itself originally formed part of the mediaeval Priory of the Holy Trinity (1108).
The church is Grade I listed, having survived the Great Fire of 1666, the Second World War (with some damage to the roof) and the Baltic Exchange bomb of 1992, which blew out the central part of the 17th-century east window.
In 1873 it subsumed the nearby church of St James, Duke's Place, which was demolished. It is the Ward Church of the Aldgate Ward and wardmotes are held here. The Aldgate Ward is the shipping and insurance ward of the City, and the churchyard is surrounded by offices and flats.
The organ is a fine instrument, having some 17th-century pipes by “Father” Smith and good 19th-century additions. The orginal instrument was played by Purcell and Handel. The irgan was restored in 2003 and is an instrument of outstanding quality.
There is a weekly Eucharist as well as a number of special services, for example the Lion Sermon—which dates back to 1643—and company carol services, memorial services and the like. At these special services worship is often accompanied and enhanced by Lloyd's Choir and the City Singers, who also rehearse in the church and give concerts there from time to time.
The St James Mar Thoma Syrian Orthodox Church UK, which is in communion with the Church of England, uses the church every Sunday of the year for worship by a large congregation drawn from all over the Home Counties.
There is an active "Friends of St Katharine Cree Church" organisation, which since 1999 has provided financial assistance for the fabric, notably for the recent organ restoration. More importantly, the Friends are the link to St Katharine's for sympathetic groups, for example Aldgate Ward Club, The Lancastria Association, Mar Thoma Church, Lloyd's Choir, etc as well as many individuals who are or have been associated with the church over the years.
Having been the headquarters of the Industrial Christian Fellowship from 1962-1997 and in its present role as a Guild Church, St Katharine's has a special responsibility to those who work in the offices in the vicinity. We believe that the working environment is as important a part of God's world as any other and that this area of our lives can often be neglected by churches. In recognition of this, a Chaplain for Development and Mission was appointed in 2008 to explore and bring into being new ways and means for this ancient church to fulfil Christ’s Great Commission among the people of the Square Mile.