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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
Directions on Google Maps
The Southwood Garden at St James Piccadilly is a hidden oasis of calm and tranquillity, away from the frenetic activity of Piccadilly. The garden is a vital green feature of this historic Wren church and much loved by those who frequent it.
The garden is moments from Piccadilly Circus and Green Park tube stations. There is a small professional kitchen on-site, with space for more complex equipment. If there is inclement weather guests can escape into the beautiful Wren Church.
For over 200 years, this plot of land was used as a burial ground for the parish. After the war of 1939–45 Viscount Southwood provided money for the ‘green’ churchyard to be made into a garden of remembrance ‘to commemorate the courage and fortitude of the people of London’. The garden was opened in 1946 by Queen Mary.
Today this Green Flag award-winning space is expertly tended by our gardener Catherine, and filled with plants to bring interest throughout the seasons.
There is maximum capacity of 150 people in a total space of 400ft2 (37m2). Access to the garden is through the main entrance gates from Piccadilly. An additional ‘private’ entrance from Jermyn Street can be arranged on request. Unfortunately, there is currently no step free access to the garden area.
For more information, please contact our Parish Administrator on 020 7734 4511 or by email below.
Jamie Oliver filming (2017)
Emily Young Exhibition (2017)
