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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Ash Wednesday

Psalm 103
Joel 2:1-2,12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Matthew 6:1-6,16-21
“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:1
Today on Ash Wednesday, the scriptures remind us to be secret in giving alms and to avoid “putting on airs” of piety and righteousness for others to see. Despite our influence or affluence on Earth, our true reward is the unearned grace of our Father who art in Heaven.

– Sandra Hackworth

Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” These are simple words, but everything in us – every breath, every thought, every dream – conspires to push away the truth they contain. We need to be able to do this – to push aside the certainty of our own death – in order to fully live. But on Ash Wednesday we gather together to claim that we know who we are. We know we are finite. We know we are not God.
Last year was my first Ash Wednesday at St. John’s, and I was deeply moved by the way we impose ashes.  People came to the steps, one at a time, to be marked with this tangible reminder of our mortality. Some looked down, humble, praying, as I touched their heads. “Remember that you are dust….” But most looked directly into my eyes as I touched the ashes with my thumb and marked the cross on their foreheads. “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”  It was surprisingly intimate, a moment of connection between two mortal souls. I touched them one at a time, and they touched me.
Remember that you are dust...” I said, but my heart heard, “Remember that we are dust…” We are dust together. And in a world that tries to get us to forget both that we are dust and that we are together in this journey, Ash Wednesday gives me more than enough hope to get me well into Lent.

– The Rev. Virginia Gerbasi

March 5 - Ashes


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