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Women's Prayer Evening

Tuesday 10th October

This is an occasion for the women of St John's to meet together, hear about some of the women's ministry at St John's, and to pray together. 

The evening will start at 7.45, and end at around 9.30. 

Home

Welcome

There has been a group of Christians meeting to worship the God of the Bible at St John's  Downshire Hill since October 1823. Today Christians continue to meet together at this Grade 1 listed building on Sundays and during the week with the aim of knowing Jesus better and making him better known.  Through meeting to hear God's word taught, prayer and partnership in proclaiming the Good News about Jesus Christ, the members of St John's are committed to the growth of God's Kingdom in Hampstead and throughout the world.  Whether you would like to join us for a Sunday meeting or attend a short course to find out more about  What Christians Believe, we would be delighted to welcome you.

The Building

The Building - Past & Present

St John's was built as a Chapel of Ease in the early 1820s and completed in 1823 when its first service was held on 26^th October. Its construction was the result of a partnership between the Reverend James Curry, Edward Carlisle - a lawyer - and builder William Woods who was responsible for much of the development of Downshire Hill. After a turbulent early history, the church grew as a result of a settled ministry from the 1840s and, at one point , had a close association with the now defunct Downshire Hill School as well with a strong association with overseas Christian mission work. From its earliest history, St John's was founded within an Evangelical tradition to preach the good news about Jesus Christ clearly and faithfully from the Bible to all who might enter its doors and to those in the surrounding vicinity.

The building, with its Regency stuccoed and cream painted facade is more typical of churches of that period in the New England region of the USA. Interesting features include its Doric porch and double staircased vestibule as well as the East Window, dating from 1882 which depicts the Eagle of St John. Under it the reredos frames the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer and the Apostles' Creed. During a restoration project in the late 1960s, a frieze of biblical text which had been obliterated in 1923 was rediscovered decorating the gallery and reredos and repainted in the original striking gold lettering. The Bevington & Sons organ in the West Gallery was built in 1873 and installed in 1880 replacing a smaller one. The wooden box pews which line the sides of the church are those for which the first congregation and successive generations paid pew rents until the early 1950s and St John's is one of the few churches in England retaining original examples of this seating. Below the bellcote outside, the distinctive black and gold clock on the front of the building is as old as the church; made by John Moore and Son of Clerkenwell in 1823, its simple bold design is typical of similar timepieces of that period.

As a proprietary chapel, St John's is recognised as a church within the London Diocese of the Church of England but has complete independence in financial matters. It receives no support from and makes no contribution to Diocesan Funds. It is entirely self supporting and all costs, including staff and building costs, are borne by the congregation which has owned the building since 2003 when they bought it from the family trust which had owned it and leased it to them since the First World War.

Grade I listed by English Heritage, the building has been subject to a number of restoration projects. The most recent was completed in September 2004 when key structural problems, most notably a lack of foundations, were finally addressed by an extensive £2.5 million project to underpin the building and, in the process, add an undercroft which extended the church's facilities considerably. The continuing history of this lovely building continues to be a great testament to God's wonderful grace in Jesus Christ through and to His people in Hampstead and beyond.

The Easy Saturday Morning

The next...

Easy Saturday Morning

is on Saturday 24th February 

A chance for Dads to tuck into a cooked breakfast while the children enjoy plenty of toys. 

From 8.30-10am.  Please let us know if you'd like to come.

Easter 2008

Easter 2008

Come and join us to celebrate the Lord's death and resurrection.

Good Friday 21st March at 10:00am

A service of readings and meditations on the cross, with special music by St John's Singers.

The service will include Communion.

Easter Day 23rd March at 10:30am

A service to celebrate Jesus' victory over death, with special music by St John's Singers

There will be no separate children's clubs during these services, so families are encouraged to sit together.

Holiday Club

May Half Term 2008

St John's are running a fun-filled Holiday Club for children aged 5-11 during the Summer half term. The club will run from 10am to 12pm on Tuesday 27th, Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th and Friday 30th May. The theme is Romans, and there will be games, sports, crafts and songs based on Paul's letter. As ever, the club is free of charge but if possible do register your child before the event by contacting the church office.

Faith in the Local Church conference, 5-7 June

Spurring one another on to be the churches God would have us be

Fellowship Dinner

Our current Sermon Series

Life in Christ