Last year, we walked alongside almost 2,800 Anglican clergy households, with over £6 million in grants. This includes 1 in 5 of all serving Church of England and Church in Wales clergy.

Our support is not a luxury; many clergy rely on us for the essentials of life and ministry, like laptops, car repairs and household appliances.

We’re privileged to walk alongside clergy and their families, but we are only able to do so thanks to the generous support of the Livery movement. Please consider talking to your Master or Clerk, about how your company can support Clergy Support Trust.

If you have any questions, please do get in touch at hello@clergysupport.org.uk.

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London Guildhall

Our relationship with the City Livery

In 1655, concerned with the welfare of clergy, their children and widows, a Festival was held by merchants, the sons of clergy, Liverymen and Freemen of the City of London to raise funds.

370 years later, a great deal has changed, but Clergy Support Trust's mission to serve those who serve remains the same. As does our deep, historic connection with the livery movement.

We greatly value the centuries-old support of Worshipful Companies and Guilds. As well as being celebrated here, the much-appreciated financial contributions of the City livery are acknowledged in the Festival Order of Service.

Many Livery members also support us by becoming Stewards of the Festival or Governors of the Trust. The Lord Mayor of the City of London shows their support through an ex officio role as an Honorary President.

Email our team at festival@clergysupport.org.uk to learn more about how your company can walk alongside Clergy Support Trust as we walk alongside thousands of Anglican clergy and their families.

Our supporters in 2024

The Worshipful Company of Accountants
The Worshipful Company of Barbers
The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths
The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
The Worshipful Company of Coopers
The Chartered Accountants' Company
The Drapers' Company
The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London
The Worshipful Company of Glovers of London
The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers
The Worshipful Company of Masons
Merchant Taylors' Company
The Worshipful Company of Needlemakers
The Worshipful Company of Pewterers
The Worshipful Company of Saddlers
The Worshipful Company of Scriveners
The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights
The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisors
The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers
The Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers & Blenders
The Worshipful Company of Turners
The Worshipful Company of Tylers & Bricklayers
The Worshipful Company of Upholders
The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights

Festival Service and Dinner

The 371st Clergy Support Trust Festival will bring together three world-class cathedral choirs, inspiring speakers and respected guests from the City of London and Livery movement.

Join us under the magnificent dome of St Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday 12 May 2026, 5pm, and afterwards for our historic dinner at Plaisterers' Hall, 6.30pm.

The Masters of Worshipful Companies and Guilds across the City of London join our ceremonial Stewards and senior clergy in a procession down the aisle at the start of the Service, a tradition that has been going on for three centuries.

The Festival Service and Dinner are opportunities for networking, fellowship, and giving thanks for the work of Anglican clergy and their families and the Trust in supporting them.

Tickets for both events will be available to book from January 2026.

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The Chief Executive of Clergy Support Trust, The Revd Ben Cahill-Nicholls, giving a speech.

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Two Stewards, dressed in shirts and ties, sharing a joke and laughing.

Governors and Stewards

Stewards play a key ceremonial role in our annual Festival Service at St Paul's Cathedral, processing and accessing priority seating under the magnificent dome. They have been part of our history for centuries, and support our work with a donation of £75 per year.

Become a Steward

Governors are our ultimate governing body, electing our Trustees, standing for election themselves, attending our AGM and directing our mission. They hold us to account and advocate for clergy wellbeing. They make a one-off donation of £100, and remain Governors for life.

Become a Governor

More about the Festival