OLD PAULINE CLUB
Feast Service 2020
On 3 February, around a 100 Old Paulines, along with their guests, leaving Upper Eighth students and their parents, gathered in St Paul’s Cathedral for a celebration of Evensong to mark the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul. The choir included members of the St Paul’s School and St Paul’s Juniors chamber choirs. Rev Mark Oakley, Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral, and Brian Jones, President of the Old Pauline Club, gave the readings. As Brian Jones noted in his speech at the Mercers’ Hall, it is something of a coup that we are able to celebrate the Feast in this way at the Cathedral, with the School’s own choir singing in a public service. Brian thanked Rev Matt Knox, Chaplain of St Paul’s and St Paul’s Girls’ Schools, for enabling the OPC to maintain such a positive dialogue with the Cathedral.
Following Evensong all made their way to the Mercers’ Hall. Guests were welcomed with an opening speech by Adam Fenwick, House Warden of the Mercers’ Company and Governor of the school. Adam spoke of the history of the Feast and also paid tribute to the outstanding leadership of Professor Mark Bailey, this being his last Feast Service as High Master. Brian Jones followed, speaking of the numerous social and professional networking opportunities open to the leaving Upper 8th students through the OP Club.
literature and religion of the Chinese; Levick, G.M. 1914. Antarctic penguin: a study of their social habits; and Allan, I. 1942. ABC of Southern locomotives: A complete list of all Southern Railway Engines in service). Hilary Cummings, Librarian at St Paul’s, gratefully accepted the books on behalf of the School. The speeches concluded with the High Master, who gave a glowing review of the support lent by the Mercers’ Company and the Old Pauline Club throughout his time at the School, as well as again thanking the OPs for the book donations.
As is customary, Brian presented the school with books donated by the Club (Medhurst, W.H. 1838. China: its state and prospects, with especial reference to the spread of the Gospel: containing allusions to the antiquity, extent, population, civilization,
The buffet supper that followed the speeches enabled Old Paulines from close to a 70- year range of year groups, current students and parents to enjoy the hospitality of the Mercers’ Company.
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