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• Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. … Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know—this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. …’ (Acts of the Apostles, 2:14, 22–24, NRSV)

Since the beginning of the Church, two thousand years ago, sermons have been preached: that is, public oratory designed to connect the text of the Bible with the lives of the hearers and with contemporary events. 

This pulpit, like many created during Wren’s era, was built with a sounding board above it to enable the preacher’s voice to be heard clearly throughout the building. Originally, it stood further towards the centre of the church, on the edge of the aisle, in a more dominant position.

The pulpit, sounding board and desks (see below) were made by the joiner William Grey and were probably carved by him as well. They cost the large sum of £208. Grey worked in many of Sir Christopher Wren’s churches and some of the royal palaces, and he was one of the leading craftsmen of his day.