History

For over two centuries, St. John’s, Lafayette Square has stood in witness to the events that shaped our nation’s capital.

Established in 1815, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square was designed by noted architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe to serve Episcopalians in a growing residential community in Washington’s western end.

Latrobe, one of the architects of the U.S. Capitol building, fashioned the church in the form of a simple Greek cross. The cornerstone was set on September 14, 1815; St. John’s first service was held on October 27, 1816; and the church was consecrated on December 27 of that year. A portico and bell tower, containing a bell cast by Paul Revere’s son, were added by 1822.

Known as the “Church of the Presidents,” St. John’s has welcomed every president to worship in its sanctuary beginning with James Madison. Several have been regular communicants, earning St. John’s its status as a National Historic Landmark. In June 2020, St. John’s stood at the epicenter of a historic moment when spontaneous demonstrations against police brutality captured the attention of our nation and world. Throughout that time St. John’s was known to be a place that offered grace and the healing love of God, and today the church continues to strive for the dream of racial reconciliation, justice, and equity for all people.

While St. John’s is a truly historic landmark, it is open to all who seek community, learning, service, or simply a place to sit and bask in the presence of God here in the middle of our nation’s capital.

Established in 1815, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square was designed by noted architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe to serve Episcopalians in a growing residential community in Washington’s western end.

Latrobe, one of the architects of the U.S. Capitol building, fashioned the church in the form of a simple Greek cross. The cornerstone was set on September 14, 1815; St. John’s first service was held on October 27, 1816; and the church was consecrated on December 27 of that year. A portico and bell tower, containing a bell cast by Paul Revere’s son, were added by 1822.

Known as the “Church of the Presidents,” St. John’s has welcomed every president to worship in its sanctuary beginning with James Madison. Several have been regular communicants, earning St. John’s its status as a National Historic Landmark. In June 2020, St. John’s stood at the epicenter of a historic moment when spontaneous demonstrations against police brutality captured the attention of our nation and world. Throughout that time St. John’s was known to be a place that offered grace and the healing love of God, and today the church continues to strive for the dream of racial reconciliation, justice, and equity for all people.

While St. John’s is a truly historic landmark, it is open to all who seek community, learning, service, or simply a place to sit and bask in the presence of God here in the middle of our nation’s capital.

Tours

Visit our Space and Hear our Story

Free tours of St. John’s Church and Parish House, focusing on the buildings’ noteworthy architecture and long history, are held at noon on Sundays after worship. Private tours are available upon request.

Tours

Presidential Visits

Art, Architecture & Early Documents

A Witness to American History

Bell Tower Restoration

Standing Tall through the Centuries

Our iconic bell tower, with its original Revere bell, has watched over the White House and the neighborhood around Lafayette Square since 1822. Learn about St. John’s ongoing efforts to preserve and restore this treasure of American cultural and architectural history.

Learn About the Bell Tower Project

The History and Heritage of the Church of the Presidents

A comprehensive, documented, 349 page history of St. John’s Church, with photographs: St. John’s Church, Lafayette Square: The History and Heritage of the Church of the Presidents, Washington, DC by Richard F. Grimmett can be purchased by using the link below. All proceeds from the sale of this book go to St. John’s.

Visit Us

St. John’s, Lafayette Square is a downtown DC Episcopal parish across from the White House on the corner of Sixteenth and H Streets Northwest. Whether you are a current or prospective member, a visitor to the city, or simply in search of solitude during the day, we invite you to come and worship.

St. John’s is a church for people of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and viewpoints grounded in love. Whoever you are, we welcome you.

Visit Tours