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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.
Sunday 6 April 6.30pm St Pancras Church
Join the music scholars of St James’s, Piccadilly as they celebrate women composers throughout the ages.
Wednesday 16 April 6:30pm
In this special collaboration for Holy Week, St James’s Piccadilly brings together the music of composer Rachel Chaplin and spoken word presented by The Revd Lucy Winkett.
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 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.
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.
New walkways, a restored courtyard and re-landscaped gardens will provide fully accessible, beautiful spaces for everyone to enjoy as well as improving our environmental performance.
St James's Church 197 Piccadilly London W1J 9LL
Directions on Google Maps
By Magdalena Supel, Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir
If you’ve ever heard a gospel choir live, you’ll know it’s an experience—the harmonies lift you, the rhythms make you move, and the words speak straight to your heart. But gospel music reveals much more than that; it offers connection, resilience, and community.
As someone who’s been involved in gospel music for years—first in Central Eastern Europe and now in London—I’ve seen how this music goes beyond its origins in the African-American church. Yes, faith is central to the genre, but gospel’s appeal reaches far beyond religion. It brings people together, offering hope, and creating a sense of belonging in an often divided world.
A Legacy of Resilience
Gospel music has long been tied to struggle and liberation. In the 20th century, it became the soundtrack of the Civil Rights Movement, giving voice to the fight for justice. But it’s always been more than just a musical genre—it’s a call to action, a force for unity, and a source of strength for those facing oppression.
That’s one reason why gospel music resonated so deeply in Poland, where I first encountered it. Poland’s own history of resilience—being wiped off the map for over a century, only to re-emerge stronger—made the themes of gospel instantly relatable. In the early noughties, as I started producing gospel workshops and live events and launched Poland’s first nationally broadcast gospel radio show, I discovered how profoundly this music resonated with the Polish spirit. Even after beginning a new chapter in the UK a decade ago, the movement I helped create remains strong.
In the UK, gospel music continues to thrive, though often in new forms. From churches to television shows like Britain’s Got Talent, gospel’s influence can be felt across British culture. One choir at the heart of this movement is the Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir, where I’ve found my home. Our monthly event, Soul at St James at St James’s Piccadilly, brings gospel to new, diverse audiences, showing that this music has the power to reach anyone, regardless of background.
More Than a Choir: Building Communities
I’ve been part of the Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir for ten years, and during that time, we’ve become a close-knit family where I’ve made some of my best friends. In a world where many feel isolated, gospel music offers a vital sense of connection.
Every month, we explore new themes in our performances, from social justice to spiritual awareness, while collaborating with local artists. We’re not just a choir; we’re a group of people committed to making a difference—it brings people together and builds bonds that last beyond the performance.
At our recent Soul at St James event, one of our choir members, Hannah, summed it up perfectly: “No matter how you feel or what you’re going through, there’s a gospel song for that.” She’s right. Just last week, as we sang “Goodness of God”, the message spread from the stage into the courtyard, and the audience—some who had just stumbled upon the performance—joined in, voices raised together.
So why does gospel music feel so relevant in 2024? Simply put, its message is universal. In a country as diverse as the UK, where cities are a blend of cultures, faiths, and traditions, gospel music provides common ground.
A Force for Social Change
Historically linked to social justice, gospel still carries that spirit of activism today, speaking directly to our shared humanity. It’s a reminder that no matter our differences, we are all connected. That message is one of the many reasons I believe gospel music has such a vital role in modern Britain.
Looking ahead, gospel music shows no signs of fading. If anything, its influence is growing. Mainstream artists like Stormzy are weaving gospel elements into their work, introducing the genre to younger, more diverse audiences. And Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir is opening its doors to everyone—whether they’ve grown up with gospel or are discovering its uplifting power for the first time.
What makes gospel so powerful, in my view, is its versatility. It can blend seamlessly with classical music, jazz, R&B, and even heavy metal, yet it never loses its core message of hope and resilience. That’s what I love most about it—it’s constantly evolving, but the soul of gospel always stays true.
If you’re curious about gospel music but don’t know where to start, why not join us at one of our Soul at St James events? Or press play on a gospel playlist (a few of my favourites are listed below). I promise you’ll find yourself moved by the music in ways you didn’t expect.
So next time you hear a gospel choir raise their voices in joyful harmony, don’t just listen—let it move you. In 2024, gospel music is more vital than ever, and we’re here to welcome you into this powerful, life-affirming journey.
My Top Ten Gospel tracks:
