St John's Wood Church

St John's Wood Church started life as a chapel of ease to St Marylebone Parish Church, and was constructed in 1814 by Thomas Hardwick, who was simultaneously constructing the current St Marylebone Church. Although the church originally had extensive burial grounds, these were closed in 1855 and opened as a public garden, St. John's Wood Church Grounds, in 1886. There are thought to be around 50,000 graves, including those of the artist John Sell Cotman and the prophetess Joanna Southcott. In 1898 the building became a chapel of ease to Christ Church, Marylebone, and increasingly became the centre of administration for the parish. After bomb damage during the Second World War rendered St…

The church has between 130 and 150 regular worshippers, with an electoral roll of 225. Services aim to maintain "a tradition of thoughtful and intelligent preaching and teaching", as well as the church's musical tradition; in addition to a professional octet of singers leading the worship at the main Sunday service, an amateur Chamber Choir made up of members of the congregation sings Evensong once a month. The organ is a three manual, 52 stop instrument by B. C. Shepherd and Sons. The building is also kept open from early morning to late afternoon every day as a place of prayer and stillness. St John's Wood Church works closely with other local churches, who together hold a monthly service…