WELCOME TO SAINT JOHN’S CHURCH

Welcome to St. John's Church, Lafayette Square—a vibrant historic Episcopal church located across from the White House. We invite you to join with us for worship, Christian fellowship and outreach.

History

From our organization as a parish in 1815 to today, St. John's Church has provided a powerful symbol of faith in the heart of our nation's capital.

Mission

At St. John's, we believe Christ is calling us to be a renewed church in a changing world. In worship, education, parish life, and social action, we seek to expand our horizons by serving God by loving one another.

Clergy, Staff, & Vestry

Meet St. John’s diverse and engaging clergy, vestry and staff.

Directions & Parking

Located at the corner of 16th and H Streets in Northwest Washington, St. John's is near the McPherson Square and Farragut North Metro stations. Limited street parking is available; free valet parking is offered for certain hours.
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Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Lent

In today’s readings, I was struck by the many references to nature: water, light, rivers, seas, fish, trees, mountains, fruit, and pools. In the collect, we ask God to “quench our thirst with living water and flood our darkened minds with heavenly light.” In the reading from Ezekiel, a man is led into a river alongside a bank of trees that will provide food and leaves for healing. In the psalm, we are told that “there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.” And in the gospel reading from John, we learn of pools in Jerusalem where invalids go to be healed. 

During Lent, Christians undertake penitence and fasting at the same time that springtime brings celebrations in nature. Perhaps we distractible humans need this time of fasting in order to appreciate the beauty of the world that God has given us–the beauty that is at the forefront of today’s readings. 

For me, the magnificence of our natural world is proof of the existence of God. Yes, there is war, poverty and disease; but there are also blooming cherry blossoms and sunrises over the Potomac so beautiful that I’m moved to take photos from the back of a taxi. That beauty and that pain is the paradox of life, of which I am reminded during this season of personal austerity and natural abundance.

Nora Rigby

Links to the appointed readings and prayer for today:


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