St. John's Episcopal Church
Share a story
About St. John’s Episcopal Church
We gather to celebrate God's gifts -- open hearts, minds, and hands -- and transform the world.
An inclusive congregation committed to Christian worship and service to the community, St. John’s is a vibrant and diverse group of people of all ages, races, abilities, and identities, engaged in anti-racism and other transformative work. We offer two Sunday services, religious instruction for children, and a choir for youths and adults. In addition to our annual Darwin Day celebration of science and religion, St. John’s offers a free series of concerts, sponsors refugee and asylum-seeking families, hosts an Electric Vehicle Charger for parish and community use, and is actively working to identify, disrupt, and dismantle racism in our church and community. Established in 1883 in Old Irving Park, the church is located on Chicago’s northwest side, on the corner of Byron and Kostner. For more information visit our website at www.stjohnschicago.com.
Worship times
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteers stock and clean our 24/7 love fridge and free food cupboard. Volunteers shop, set-up, prepare, serve, and clean up for a free thanksgiving dinner served family style to 100+ people on Thanksgiving Day. Ongoing volunteer opportunities are available on our Refugee Support team which has welcomed refugees and is currently supporting a family of asylum seekers as well as material support for others. The Antiracism Team which meets monthly to plan events, sponsor trainings, and do internal work.
We also have internal ministries such as choir, altar guild, acolytes, party planners, fundraisers, newcomer team, and a leadership team.
Ministries
St. John's Community Garden
The St. John's garden is open for picnics, play and prayer during daylight hours.
Darwin Day
Every year on the anniversary of Charles Darwin's birthday, February 12, St. John's marks the occasion with a celebration. Past events have included the showing of a film or documentary, a discussion about science and religion, the performance of an original play, Tierra del Fuego and On Trial: Intelligent Design and Evolution, an arts festival, and/or a party!
Thanksgiving Dinner
Every year St. John's provides a free, home-cooked Thanksgiving Dinner served family style on Thanksgiving Day at 1:00 p.m. Recently, we have added free meals at other times throughout the year.
Community Concert Series
Since 2013 St. John's has offered free concerts to the community through the gifts of generous donors. A wide variety of groups and musical styles are offered including classical chamber music, jazz, swing, indie country, gospel, organ and piano.
Antiracism team
The Antiracism Team was established in January 2018 and meets monthly. Our Antiracism Action Plan was presented to and accepted by our vestry (leadership council) on June 20, 2018. We worked on our 2019 Antiracism Plan and are continuing our work in 2020. The team began with an African-American Literature Book Group. A list of the books we read over two years can be downloaded here: Reading to End Racism. Our list of books about white supremacy and white privilege is here: Wrestling with White Supremacy. The book list for our Latinx Book Group is on this page of our website.
We are currently working on a pilot project, a model of congregational antiracism work and relationships, activities and events around Indigenous land acknowledgement.
Little Free Food Pantry
Please take or leave non-perishable foods in the cupboard between the church and the garage. Available 24/7.
Children and Youth Ministries
We have nursery care for both services, Godly Play for ages 3-6, The Quest for grades 1-3, and grades 4-5, and Youth group for grades 6-12.
St. John's Choir
The St. John's Choir meets weekly on Thursday nights and sings on Sunday morning and for holy days from September through June, and once a month in the summer for Gospel on the Green (worship outside in our garden).
International Relationships
Diocese of Southeast Mexico
San Juan Evangelista
News about St. John's Episcopal Church
Share a story
2019 Becoming Beloved Community Grant Recipient - Antiracism Action Plan
Antiracism Action Plan, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Chicago, Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, $4,000.00
3857 N Kostner Ave
Chicago, IL 60641
United States
Contact
The Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer
