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We offer daily services and a creative programme of talks, events and concerts. We seek to be a welcoming space for people to reflect, create and debate.
Come and celebrate the hope and light that Christmas brings each winter
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. This is a place for everyone who’s wondering about life’s big questions and striving for a better world.
We host a year-round creative programme encompassing music, visual art and spoken word, drawing on St James’s rich cultural history including artists, writers and musicians Mary Beale, Mary Delany, William Blake, Ottobah Cugoano and Leopold Stokowski.
We try to put our faith into action by educating ourselves and speaking out on issues of injustice, especially concerning refugees, asylum, earth and racial justice, and LGBTQ+ issues.
We aspire to be a home where everyone can belong. We’re known locally and globally for our unique history and beauty, as well as faith in action, creativity and the arts, and a commitment to social and environmental justice.
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.
It costs us £3,500 per day to enable us to keep our doors open to all who need us
Your donation will help us restore our garden in Piccadilly as part of The Wren Project, making it possible for us to welcome over 300,000 people from all faiths and walks of life seeking tranquillity and inspiration each year.
St James's Church 197 Piccadilly London W1J 9LL
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Juliet Owoo, Clerk to the United Charities Trustees and member of St James’s International Group, writes of her own connection to Quobna Ottobah Cugoano, as we mark the anniversary of his baptism at St James’s this August.
Quobna’s journey from the Gold Coast, present-day Ghana, to the shores of England, where he became a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement, serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Ghanaian people. His courage to speak out against the atrocities of slavery and his advocacy for the rights of enslaved individuals resonates deeply with the core values of compassion and solidarity that define Ghanaian culture.
As a Ghanaian, Quobna Ottobah Cugoano’s story reminds me of the power of resilience and the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.
I was honoured to participate in the commemoration of Ghanaian abolitionist Quobna Ottobah Cugoano, an extraordinary ceremony held in the church. Prior to this event, I was unfamiliar with his story until it was narrated to me. It filled me with immense pride to learn that a young Ghanaian like him exhibited remarkable courage, determination and bravery to pen his book during the period of the transatlantic slave trade, a feat that some members of the congregation surprisingly backed. Despite the presence of slave traders among the worshippers, this did not hinder the support extended to Quobna in fulfilling his mission. It was a surreal experience to be invited to participate in his acknowledgement, which celebrated Quobna and his significant accomplishments in his brief yet impactful lifetime.
I was immensely excited to participate in the event where St James’s acknowledged this courageous gentleman after many years. Being a Ghanaian from the same tribe (Fante) on the Gold Coast (Ghana) and a congregation member, the occasion felt profoundly personal and intimate to me. I vividly recall standing at the very place where he was baptised as ‘John Stuart’ on August 20, 1773, imagining the emotions of a young black boy without his family nearby. It’s almost surreal to think that 251 years later, he would be acknowledged and honoured; He likely never could have imagined.
Regrettably, Quobna Ottobah Cugoano remains relatively obscure in Ghana and perhaps only known to historians. Nevertheless, I found an article on the Ghana web indicating that ‘the Ghanaian slave had been honoured by the Church of England’. It would have been great if his hometown, Ajumako, had known the legacy he left behind him. Still, his story resonates deeply with the spirit of Ghana and the people who know about him.
Quobna’s narrative has been a profound source of inspiration for me throughout the past year. It reinforces my belief that regardless of our circumstances, we can ignite change with the modest capabilities we possess. As the saying goes, “Brighten the corner where you are.” Quobna Ottobah Cugoano stood as a shining example of Ghanaian resilience and determination, reminding us that our voices can spark change and illuminate the path towards a brighter future for all. A job well done, Quobna Ottobah Cugoano; your legacy will forever be remembered.
