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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A Shroud of Comfort

Psalm 69:15-20 2 Samuel 22:1-7 (8-16) 17-19 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 Luke 10:25-37
The longer I live, the greater the topic of family becomes for me—it grows more poignant, stronger, less idealized, more tensile, more valuable, more real. I have come to realize that our families are quilts of many odd patches. We wrap ourselves up again and again in the comfort of them. And, like any good quality fabric, they grow softer and more yielding of contour with time. Our families may never really fit us—and yet they always fit us.
And just as I am a member of my large, extended family, I am a member of the family of faith.
Millions and millions of other Christians are on this faith trek with me, and I am blessed and comforted by them. I wrap our shared faith around and around me to shield me, to comfort me, to mark my beginnings, to mark my endings. It is part swaddling clothes, part uniform, part shroud.
As a family we are approaching the long, blue shadows of that one tomb. Together we are straining to witness a rising that will change everything. And as a family, we are all invited in by Jesus.
This Lent, may you hear His invitation. May we all be wrapped up together— warm, known, blessed, and received—in the rare beauty of this ancient springtime story.

–Suzanne Synnestvedt

Photo by A. Thrasher
Photo by A. Thrasher

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