St John's Church

"Discovering and sharing the love of God"

Situated on the edge of the regency Palmeira Square, St John's was built between 1852 and 1854 and its landmark spire was added in 1870.

More recently, and in response to the growing needs of those who live around the Church, some of the building has been converted for community use. This has allowed the people of St John's to retain a beautiful and unique space in which to worship God.

As beautiful as our Church is, it is more than just a building. St John's is a parish church in the Church of England and houses a growing congregation of all ages committed to seek and share Christ's love in our daily lives. We offer a warm welcome to all who wish to join us.

The church on a sunny day, seen from Palmeira Square

Jesus replied ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

Matthew 22:37-39

From this passage we believe we are:

1) Called to love God with all our heart and soul and mind.

We value and participate in different styles of worship which allow us to discover more about God and grow in love towards him. We value opportunities to seek holiness through silence, prayer and the reading of scripture.

2) Called to love and serve our neighbours.

We seek to be Christ centred; we have shown the love of Christ by using our building to serve our community through the HOP50+ Café and Centre for Older People and the Cornerstone Community Centre. We particularly welcome the disadvantaged and the marginalised.

Looking across the garden to the Cornerstone Community Centre in summer

3) Called to love and serve one another.

We are willing to share our lives with one another and we strive to serve one another through pastoral care and friendship. We seek Christ in one another and try to be Christ to one another.

4) Called to welcome all people because everyone, irrespective of age, colour of skin, gender, marital status, sexuality, nationality, disability or background, is a child of God, and is accepted, valued and loved.

We value our inclusivity and welcome to all people. We strive to be authentic as the body of Christ in our small part of Hove knowing that each part of the body is as valuable as the next part.