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We offer daily services and a cultural programme of talks, events and concerts. We seek to be a welcoming space for people to reflect, create and debate
St James’s hosts inclusive services and a cultural programme. We seek to be a welcoming space for people to reflect, create and debate.
St James’s is a place to explore, reflect, pray, and support all who are in need. We are a Church of England parish in the Anglican Communion.
We host a year-round creative programme encompassing music, visual art and spoken word.
We offer hospitality to people going through homelessness and speak out on issues of injustice, especially concerning refugees, asylum, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ issues.
St James’s strives to advocate for earth justice and to develop deeper connections with nature.
We aim to be a place where you can belong. We have a unique history, and the beauty of our building is widely known. Our community commits to faith in action: social and environmental justice; creativity. and the arts
We strive to be a Eucharist-centred, diverse and inclusive Christian community promoting life in abundance, wellbeing and dignity for all.
St James’s Piccadilly has been at the heart of its community since 1684. We invite you to play your part in securing this historic place for generations to come.
The work of St James’s, it costs us £5,000 per day to enable us to keep our doors open to all who need us.
A reimagined St James’s realised. A redesigned garden, courtyard and new building capacity—all fully accessible— will provide beautiful spaces for all as well as improving our environmental performance.
Whether shooting a blockbuster TV series or creating a unique corporate event, every hire at St James’s helps our works within the community.
St James's Church 197 Piccadilly London W1J 9LL
Directions on Google Maps
St James’s volunteer Welcomers are an immensely important part of how our church engages with the wider world. Learn more about them as they share their experiences of welcoming literally thousands of people every year.
During the spring and summer months, St James’s team of Welcomers do literally that for the thousands of people who pass through the church. Whether a carefully planned visit or someone serendipitously wandering into St James’s from the tourism hotspot of Piccadilly, everyone is invited in and offered information or answers to questions they may have. The history of St James’s and some of its renowned congregation members down through time, information on the art works in the church that are an important part of our national cultural heritage, or insight into what the community at St James’s does in our contemporary world: all of this is on offer and shared by our Welcomers.
Since May 2025, our team of volunteer weekday Welcomers have welcomed 3252 visitors to St James’s over 66.5 hours, a ballpark figure of approximately 49 people an hour. These visitors were truly international, from Japan, Sri Lanka, Chechnya, Germany, Brazil, Sweden, the UK, and the USA, among many other countries.
Passionate and well informed, our Welcomers share their knowledge with visitors from near and far about St James’s, one of very few Sir Christopher Wren churches outside the City of London. When we say St James’s is “an open church” it’s not only about physical access. Our volunteer Welcomers who give their time, knowledge and abundant warm-heartedness make life at St James’s transparent, “open” in the broadest sense of the word.
Now a long-established and vital programme within the activities of the church, we want to share some of the insights and experiences of our wonderful Welcomers.
If you would like to learn more or think that being a volunteer Welcomer is for you, please contact Dee Hetherington via the email linked here.
“The encounters, conversations and wide variety of visitors from across the world have taken me by surprise. In August, I met people from as far apart as Oman and Newfoundland! The volunteering affords many opportunities for listening, learning and sharing experiences, as well as the welcome.
“I find it a privilege to meet people of all faiths and none, some who come in looking nervous and are surprised by the welcome. Most visitors love picking up bits of history, the fact St James’s is a Wren church, the period in which it was built, examining the Grinling Gibbons limewood carvings closely, and [Baptismal] Font details, as well as the fact William Blake was baptised there, and in particular the story of Ottobah Cugoano.
“I have met many interesting visitors who have some connections or links to the church. But, it was a particular thrill to welcome a young Scottish doctor, Dr Hunter, a direct descendant of the famous Scottish Hunter brothers, both FRSs and eminent doctors . William Hunter (1718) has a memorial in the south aisle, trained in divinity as well as medicine. His famous brother John’s remains were moved from St Martin-in-the-Fields to Westminster Abbey.”
—Gwenda; volunteer weekday Welcomer
“Being an occasional weekday Welcomer brings a pause to my week. Stepping into a sudden, quiet stillness, it’s an opportunity to sense and soak up the atmosphere of the building, to notice its details obscured on Sundays and to become familiar with the names of those memorialised on the walls, and a brief snapshot of their lives. And as a relative newcomer to the church it’s provided a helpful way for me to get to know a few members of the St James’s community.
“Being there to greet visitors with at least eye contact and a smile feels right, and if you sense they’re interested, to then open up a conversation. Thanks to Ray’s tutorials we have a wealth of information to draw on, but I’m cautious not to overwhelm people, especially tourists who are dashing in between Fortnum’s and Piccadilly Circus… if they leave with just a bite-sized story and a warm welcome, it’ll hopefully stay with them after the holiday’s over.
“Not everyone wants engagement or chat, like the woman who came in distraught and seeking permission to sit and weep. She found a quiet corner and let go, gathering herself after half an hour to go out and face whatever was challenging her. All she’d needed was space, and that someone had noted and acknowledged her distress. That was enough.”
—Mimi; volunteer weekday Welcomer
“It is an honour to be part of the team that shares the valuable history of St James’s, Piccadilly. This role has opened a new opportunity for me to learn, explore and enjoy the history of England through the life of St James’s and the world that adjoins its story.
“I initially felt overwhelmed by the vast knowledge there is to take in. Dee was very helpful in sharing videos and pictures curated by St James’s own Ray, who records these videos for us. In his calm voice he said, ‘You will eventually identify your favourites.’ Indeed! I soon found names and stories I lean towards. The conversations are also guided by the curiosity and questions that the guests ask when they visit. Some people are quite knowledgeable in the subjects they speak of. Some seek solace in Saint James, the fellow pilgrim—so they put their luggage down and rest. Others need a moment of silence. Many have a need to connect with God in a brief prayer, undisturbed, or to write a prayer request for intercession intervention.
“Among these many noteworthy visitors, I met a lively lady from New Zealand who was excited to come into the church where her grandparents got married. She shared much of her fascinating family history, which includes links to the nobility along the way. Teenagers, especially girls, are amazed as they walk to view the place where the wedding scene of ‘Bridgerton’ was filmed. Taking the brochure as proof to show their friends when they return home is appreciated.
“Younger children are generally attracted to the Font where the carving depicts stories they have either heard at Sunday School, watched in cartoons, films or [read in] children’s books like ‘Noah’s Ark’. It does not matter which country they come from: they will identify Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and Noah’s ark.
“Other children amaze me in how much history they consume at such a young age. One such visitor was a girl who came in with her grandfather. She knew a great deal about slavery and the effects of it— my jaw dropped! There was also a vibrant Irish girl who came in with her mom and siblings. Her knowledge and delivery of it was just brilliant.
“My day was made when I met a young Canadian traveller who was en route to my home country, South Africa. He found a memorial plaque of his ancestor. I was excited and asked him to sign the visitors book. He obliged.
“Most visitors are happy to hear of places they can visit in London to see more of Grinling Gibbons’ work especially for free in museums or to check out the school started by Ruspini.
“In a short time, I have had such pleasant experiences meeting guests at St James’s that it far outweighs the few unpleasant ones that are not even worth mentioning.”
—Mpume; volunteer weekday Welcomer
“I hadn’t expected to enjoy weekday Welcoming as much as I do! I’ve learnt lots about St James’s—from Ray’s video guides, from official tourist guides giving their talks, from other Welcomers, and from different experts calling in. It’s great to meet people from all over the world and respond to their interest in different parts of the building or in the activities and focus of St James’s.
—Beatrice; volunteer weekday Welcomer
“Welcoming at St James’s is always invaluable and enjoyable. One meets so many different people and from all parts of the world. Yesterday, there were people from Cincinnati, and other parts of the world. All seem interested in the history and many are awe-struck by the reredos. I particularly like the pelican that, in mythology, plucks at its own chest to feed the chicks on her blood. Of course I tell them how apt it is when we think of sacrificial love and Jesus.
“Those who have heard of William Blake are often surprised to hear that he was baptised here. Others are well informed. Yesterday there was a man who knew about Blake. He had been a theological student at Durham.
“Other people yesterday included a mother and young daughter from France. I think the little girl was surprised as I spoke to her in my schoolboy French .
“Also yesterday, there was a young lady from Germany. She had come in to light a candle for her father who was in hospital with a pulmonary embolism. She also wanted to make a donation. I told her that I would think of her father in my prayers that evening. I think she appreciated that.
“Then there are quite a few people who come into pray or to sit quietly. Although you smile and greet them, you know that they want to be left alone and we respect that.
“All in all, it is good to see the church used by people in many ways.”
—Joe; volunteer weekday Welcomer
“I love meeting and interacting with a huge diversity of people from all over the world. I never tire of sharing what I know about St James’s. It is a delight to see people’s reactions to the building, its history, its architecture, its special atmosphere and, very importantly, its mission and its practical concern for the dispossessed and marginalised.
“I think the weekday Welcomer project is very worthwhile and I look forward to seeing it develop further.
“One day a man from Frome asked me about previous rectors and, for some reason. I started telling him about the Revd Joseph McCormick…..he of very loud voice with a distinctive Irish accent. How fortuitous was that? Because he revealed himself as a McCormick, great-grandson of our turn-of -last-century rector.
“We then compared notes and he was thrilled to learn that we use the outside pulpit, which was installed for him. It wasn’t a success since even his stentorian tones could not compete with the noise of metal rimmed wheels on the cobbles on Piccadilly. It would seem that the outside pulpit was something of a white elephant for over a century.
“He was excited to learn that, thanks to modern amplification methods and an innovative rector, we now use it several times a year. We both mused on how good it will look when restored to its original Portland Stone whiteness, thanks to the Wren Project. I was fascinated to learn that all McCormick men have inherited the powerful vocal cords and prowess in sports. Just read the memorial tablet to the right of the Wren Project South Door leading to the vestry for details of his life and qualities.”
—Ray; volunteer weekday Welcomer
“There are many delightful aspects to being a Welcomer at St James’s, much to share in response to enquiries about the history, beliefs, and exciting Wren [Project] plans. And, first and foremost, to give all visitors the precious opportunity to experience the peace of God which surpasses all understanding.”
—Sarah; volunteer weekday Welcomer
“The many delights of my Weekday Welcomer shifts included showing the Font to some Lancashire poetry enthusiasts (sheltering from the rain) who could barely believe that they were standing where William Blake’s parents supervised his baptism; meeting a Midwest-American couple (on a genealogical research trip-cum-pilgrimage) visiting because her 18th-century ancestor was married at St James’s; discussing with an RA [Royal Academician] sculptor the merits of congregation layouts now we have the new South Door; and showing around two Slovenian women who dragged vast suitcases with them—we never discovered where or even if they were travelling— but they wanted to know all about the Grinling Gibbons!
“There are many pleasures in volunteering beyond meeting the amazing array of visitors, not least learning about the history, architecture and art of St James’s. But chief among them is spending time with your partner volunteer. Each shift requires two people, and it’s a real treat to get to know other members of the church community. When you spend three hours with someone, there’s a chance for conversations to deepen as you duck in and out of guiding and hosting duties. I recommend it!”
—Deborah; volunteer weekday Welcomer
