St Paul's Church, Bedford

St. Paul's Church
St. Paul's Church, Bedford
52°08′07″N 0°28′00″W / 52.1354°N 0.4668°W / 52.1354; -0.4668
OS grid reference	TL0498549678
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Inclusive Anglo-Catholic
Website	http://www.stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk
History
Status	Parish church
Dedication	Saint Paul
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade I listed
Administration
Province	Canterbury
Diocese	St Albans
Archdeaconry	Bedford
Deanery	Bedford
Parish	Bedford St Paul
Clergy
Vicar(s)	The Reverend Canon Kevin Goss
Honorary priest(s)	The Reverend Canon Michael Bradley The Reverend Sister Hazel Smith
Laity
Organist/Director of music	Ian Runnells

St Paul's Church is a Church of England parish church located on St Paul's Square in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. Formerly a medieval collegiate church, the large building of cathedral proportions with its later additions and iconic spire dominates the town. St Paul's is the largest Anglican church in Bedfordshire,^[1] and the church exercises a ministry of welcome to thousands of visitors and pilgrims from far and wide each year. St Paul's is officially recognised as a Major Parish Church and is a member of the Major Churches Network.

Historically, St Paul's has played a key part in the life of the British nation: as the home for the BBC's daily worship during the Second World War; and the Service for the National Day of Prayer in 1941, at which the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Gordon Lang preached, was also broadcast to the UK and wider world from the church. St Paul's is today the Civic Church of the Borough of Bedford and the County of Bedfordshire; it is a focus for special commemorations and celebrations in the borough, county, and the wider region of the East of England, as well as being a central venue for concerts, recitals and exhibitions. As well as serving a diverse parish and ministering to a congregation of all ages, the church also enjoys fine choral and liturgical worship in the English cathedral tradition. It is a grade I listed building.^[2]