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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
Mon 13 Oct to Thurs 20 Nov
An exhibition of new work by Namibian artist Tuli Mekondjo, part of the Art in the Side Chapel series at St James’s.
Sun 23 Nov 7pm
Join your host, Barbara, for an evening of laughter, games, prizes, and festive fun — all in aid of the Christmas for All campaign at St James’s Church, Piccadilly.
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
Mpume reflects on the recent retreat to Wychcroft House, which taught us to pause, trust, and be replenished together.
“In Genesis 2, where we come to understand the purposes of creation, we already have a picture of what it means biblically to rest: to stop and to abide. In Eden, there was rest as God intended. Adam and Eve were at rest with each other and the world, in their work and in the presence of God”
Our recent retreat to Wychcroft House was centred around unpacking what the above scripture means to us. Our daily themes were focused on rest. Friday – God creates spaces for people to rest. Saturday – Rest is not a luxury, and Rest is a gift from God. Sunday – Jesus promises us rest. The compline in the evenings encapsulated this theme of rest. It was beautifully compiled and delivered by Ayla and Harry, giving us the confidence to join in singing our responses. Some in the group shared memories it brings, and the peacefulness felt after each evening.
In our discussions, we got to grapple with what it means to rest. Does it include work or exclude it? Do we feel guilty when we rest and why? How do we rest when we are anxious? How do we still the mind? What if one cannot sit still? What does rest look like for individuals? What are the benefits of rest? How do we rest while working? We spoke about the element of trust, trusting God doing while we rest.
The group breakaways got us talking. It was also important to get a chance to sit and get to know fellow church members with whom we meet and volunteer outside of the normal services. Some we only hear of over the online community. At the retreat we shared scripture, laughs and moments of vulnerability with each other. We learnt about putting on your own oxygen mask before you put it on others. This was a message from Paul, about looking after yourself so that you can care for others or do whatever needs doing. The message emphasises that if you are running on empty, you do not have much to give. You must sit and allow God to fill you up again. Rest.
We were fortunate to be the only group present which made the venue even more comfortable for us. The diversity of attendees made it a rich experience. We listened, reflected, meditated and shared communion. The relaxed structure of the programme outline allowed interactive and personal time. We took advantage of the mild weather and went for walks alone or in company and enjoyed evenings in the garden. A moment to kick a ball in the grounds with Tracy which was relaxing!
One of the highlights was the word game on Saturday night. We got to be silly, laugh out loud, stay up late enjoying wine and Baileys. The views into the woods from the rooms were breath-taking.
It is important for the church to organise retreats for its members. While people do go to retreats on their own. It is different going as a group that worships and serve together. It brings people closer, opens an opportunity to understand where others come from even if personal views differ. It is a chance to forge new friendships. It is a safe space to ask questions which may be frowned upon in other environments such as questions on culture and hair! You are more relaxed and can trust the people you are with. You know that what is being said, most likely comes from a good place. The challenges we all face are compounded by the global challenges, so we do need to come together and devise strategies on how to cope day to day. To hear that others have their own battles as well. To be reminded that from time to time we need to just rest.
There were beautiful touches in the chapel with smooth stones and shells to soothe and invite stillness to the hands and mind. Acorns, crab apple and warm autumn leaves to connect with nature during a breath work and meditation session led by Roanna. It showed how God is creative and our calling is to find ways to keep grounded with nature.
I was excited to travel with fellow international community members. The Wychcroft House staff were welcoming and very helpful from arrival to departure. We could see the thoughtfulness of the organisers of the retreat in how seamlessly it was all planned.
Being at the retreat felt like we were collectively saying: “Lord, we accept your invitation to sit at your table and feast on your love.”
