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.
2020 Update.jpg

In Memory of a Loss

Psalm 22 Isaiah 52:13–53:12 Hebrews 10:16–25 or Hebrews 4:14–16, 5:7–9 John 18:1–19:42

Upon entering the temple we see him

Lying prominently in the immense sanctuary

Engulfed by multitudes of mourners

Who have come to grieve a tragic loss.

What appears as death is but an illusion.

Though draped by a symbolic cloth His presence in death as in life Is penetratingly stark And not difficult to perceive.

All is transition, merely a change of form.

Family and friends extol his noble qualities

And innumerable achievements

That we all aspire towards but he, poignantly, embodied.

. . . The body is a garment which he wears a season.

Later, we somberly gather at the grave site

As the coffin is lowered to its designated resting place.

And each takes our turn to bid a final farewell by casting soil onto it:

Thus, sending him to his eternal abode while we remain behind.

To begin life in other spheres.

Earlier, the rabbi noted that we are all like flowers on this earth

Meant to bloom into our potential like the deceased did.

He bloomed magnificently and we were fortunate

To have his exemplary presence among us!

Nothing dies; it simply changes form.*

–Janet Helgert

Italicized quotes from Henrietta Posner’s poem There Is No Death, 1955

March29


  • EVENTS

    Upcoming Events


  • SERMONS/FORUMS