After the British burned down the White House during the War of 1812, community members looked to construct an Episcopal church adjacent to the rebuilt site. Benjamin Latrobe, one of the architects of the U.S. Capitol building, designed the church in the form of a simple Greek cross in 1816. 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 sitting president to at least one service since its opening. In June 2020, St. John’s was the backdrop to peaceful protests against police brutality, met with violence and tear gas by federal forces. St. John’s is adjacent to Black Lives Matter Plaza and near National Trust Historic Site Decatur House.

St. John’s actively serves underserved communities through its programming. The congregation supports education, feeds community members experiencing housing insecurity, and advocates for affordable housing and refugee resettlement. St. John’s is also committed to public service, leading tours and Sunday Adult Forums with nationally recognized speakers on historical and contemporary topics.

A National Fund grant of $100,000 with over $1.4 million in matching funds raised by the congregation supported the full restoration of St. John’s bell tower, including repairs to the roofing, dome, trim, louvers, cornices, and stucco. The congregation has also established a nonprofit friends group to support ongoing maintenance of the church and parish house, both National Landmarks. According to the congregation, “In this moment of polarized discourse, our goal with the bell tower restoration was to focus on our mission as a place of grace, with the tower a visible beacon. The restored tower expresses our commitment to our history and current work, and is part of the ongoing story of our nation’s capital.”

St. John’s Church by White House Historical Society