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

“I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.” Sarah Williams

Psalm 145:1-7
Joshua 24:14-18
1 Corinthians 3:4-11
Mark 4:26-32
This last year, my family and I completed a circumnavigation of the earth in our 42-foot sailboat. It was not an extended holiday. We had to sail long, hard hours on some of the world’s most unforgiving and demanding ocean passages. We got wet. Sometimes we slept on the cabin in foul weather gear. Sometimes we were so anxious we couldn’t contemplate sleep. Many nights we were apprehensive—aware that no call for help would save us or our two young sons.
A circumnavigation was not a foregone conclusion. In the Coral Sea, Jim and I debated about heading for Brisbane and putting Ceol Mor on a container ship back to the States. The Indian Ocean was weighing heavily on our minds—not just the threat of pirates, but also the long passages without much support for a small boat like ours. Jim suggested we might have more fun cruising Australia’s Barrier Reef and flying home. In the end, we decided “fun” wasn’t necessarily the goal. Things that matter might turn out fun, but hard work is its own reward.
Why did we leave an idyllic life in Washington for—admittedly—one of the hardest things we’ve ever done? We wanted to show our sons they could succeed at their goals—even if they were big goals. We wanted them to learn about a world outside of their comfortable universe: less focus on materialism, real responsibility, maybe even a touch of fear, and the occasional whale or volcano rising out of the ocean. Of course it was tough. It was, at times, brutal. But, perhaps, sunrises and sunsets don’t mean as much when they are safely caught?

– Heather Wilson

April 2 - Sunset


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