St John the Baptist, Holland Road, is Kensington's only Grade I listed church, and is one of London's most distinctive and important churches.  Designed by Brookes and completed by Adkins it was fully completed and fitted out for worship in the Anglo-Catholic style between 1880-1910.  Unusually, the church is virtually unchanged since WW1, and as such is an important  architectural and decorative survival.

St John's has been used for major exhibitions over the last three years, hosting successively Luke Jerram's Museum of the Moon (2021); Gaia (2022); and Mars:  War & Peace (2023) in conjunction with the Kensington and Chelsea Festival.  We were the first place of worship to exhibit Mars.

St John's is becoming a regular concert venue, with concerts in 2024 including The Lowe Ensemble; New Trinity Baroque; Liturina; The Coniston Consort; Ensemble Pro Victoria; Vocal Shack; as well as a number of amateur choirs.  We're always interested in hearing from groups wishing to perform, and we have some rehearsal space available for hire.  In 2023 highlights of the music festival during Mars included the London City Philharmonic (full 72 piece orchestra) performing Holst's Planets Suite, the Grand Union Orchestra and Endelienta Baroque performing Handel's Water music, as well as organ recitals. 

We have an historic organ (Gern, with Willis additions in 1928) which is independently listed Grade II; together with a chamber organ, boudoir grand piano and the use of a harpsichord.  The notable 20th Century composer Healey Willan was organist here until his move to Canada.

St John's has been used as a filming location.  Amongst the films are Evita (with Madonna) and Richard III (with Sir Ian McKellen).  We've also been the location for a number of music videos, including Oscar Lang, Ruti and Yxng Bane.

We're a regular venue for wedding blessings - most often for Chinese and Japanese couples - and we regularly hold baptisms, and, when asked funerals.  We're hosting on Saturday mornings a free cafe (supported by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea) for low-income families, and a conversation group for Ukrainians wishing to improve their spoken English.  

St John's seats 500 comfortably in the nave, with a total capacity of around 700.

The core of our work is our weekly Sung Eucharist at 6.30 each Sunday evening.  We are joined twice a month by our choral scholars, one of which is also a St John's Singers service.  The St John's Singers are a group of amateur singers who come together once a month to sing our services.  New members are always welcome.