Dogs, cats and even police horses are set to receive a special blessing in the heart of the City of London as St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate hosts its annual Animal Blessing Service on Friday 2 October at 12.10 pm.
Now in its seventh year, the service welcomes people working and living in the City to bring along their beloved animals for a celebration. One inspired by St Francis of Assisi and his famous connection with animals and the natural world.
This year promises to be particularly special, with the City of London police horses joining the congregation for the first time.
A service for animals big and small
The Animal Blessing Service was inspired by similar celebrations held by churches around the world, including the famous annual service at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York, which has welcomed everything from dogs and cats to camels and llamas.
St Botolph’s congregation tends to be a little less exotic, with dogs making up most of its four-legged visitors alongside the occasional cat. However, all animals are welcome.
The service has grown considerably since the pandemic, when many more people welcomed puppies and dogs into their homes. When the service returned after Covid, attendance was around four times higher than previously, with particularly strong interest from people in their 20s and 30s.
It reflects a wider change in the City, too. With more workplaces welcoming pets, it’s increasingly common to spot dogs accompanying their humans to the office - or enjoying a lunchtime stroll around the churchyard.
Celebrating the animals who help us
Of course, St Botolph’s already has one very important canine member of its congregation: Freddie the Labrador, the Father’s beloved pup.
But the service isn't only about celebrating our pets. It's also an opportunity to recognise the many animals that have helped people throughout history.
From guide and therapy dogs to animals that have worked alongside people in agriculture, as well as those that served during conflicts and wars, the service offers a chance to reflect on the important place animals have in our lives.
This year also marks the 800th anniversary of St Francis, who famously loved animals and nature.
A church with a surprising animal history
Animals at St Botolph’s aren't entirely a modern phenomenon.
In Georgian times, the southern half of the churchyard was reportedly home to a private zoo belonging to the Rector. Exactly which animals lived there has been lost to history, so nobody knows quite how exotic its residents might have been.
Father David Armstrong says;
“All animals are welcome. It would be interesting to have something very exotic. But not a lion - a bit too dangerous. An elephant might not get through the church doors. A camel might not get through the eye of the needle….”
But dogs, cats and other slightly more conveniently sized creatures should have no such problems.
Whether your four-legged friend regularly joins you at the office or you're simply looking for a lovely way to celebrate the special animals in our lives, St Botolph’s Animal Blessing Service offers the chance to come together with fellow animal lovers in the heart of the City.
Friday 2 October at 12.10 pm
St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate is found on Bishopsgate, next to Liverpool Street Station, and the main entrance is through the churchyard, at EC2M 3TL.
For any questions, please contact the church office: James Sherwood, [email protected]
