Advent Carol Service
The Advent Carol Service takes place towards the end of Michaelmas Term and is a beautiful way of preparing for Christmas. The service was developed in the mid-twentieth century for the College community and is led by the College Choir. Since the 1980s, the service has been broadcast live by BBC Radio 3 and is one of the highlights of the year.
Epiphany Carol Service
As the new calendar year and new term begin, the Epiphany Carol Service is a highly atmospheric, candle-lit service reflecting on the birth of Christ and how that event 2000 years ago changed the world. In the darkness of January this special service offers light and hope for the year ahead.
Ash Wednesday
To mark the beginning of Lent, there are special services for Ash Wednesday, when we remember that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. This service helps us as a Christian community consider our ultimate purpose and commit to living each day to its fullest potential.
Passiontide Meditation
The season of Lent concludes with a moving and contemplative Lent Meditation, a service of readings and evocative music for Lent and Passiontide led by the College Choir.
Ascension Day Carol
Every year on Ascension Day the Choir ascends the 163ft Chapel tower and sings the Ascension Day Carol over the College and city. This special act of worship encourages us all to look up the heavens and contemplate greater things.
Important moments in the life of the College community are marked in the Chapel each year. We host the Matriculation Service as new students begin their academic studies and a special Graduation Service for students and their families to mark this significant achievement in their lives. At Christmas, we hold a carol service for College families.
At various points during the year, a special prayer station with votive candles is set up so people can mark significant days of remembrance and pray for peace during times of conflict.
The Chapel also marks important moments in the life of individuals in our College community, serving students, staff and Fellows, through weddings, baptisms and funerals, reflecting the fullness of our life together. Baptisms, Marriage Services and Services of Prayer and Dedication after a Civil Marriage can be arranged for members of St John’s in keeping with the College Statutes.
Services are conducted by St John’s clergy and according to the Rites of the Church of England. Weddings take place under a special licence issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Chapel is not licensed for Civil Wedding Ceremonies. If you are a College member and would like to find out more about getting married in the Chapel, or marking a significant life event, please contact the Dean of Chapel.
During 2025 a new organ is being installed to help lead our worship in Chapel.
After many years in the planning, the organ project, which will run until May 2026, is the largest St John’s Chapel has seen for at least a generation. It involves highly specialised work to remove the Mander organ and move it to a new home at St John the Divine in Kennington.
The organ is an instrument which sits at the very heart of our worshipping life, and contributes to the musical life of the College and Chapel. Whilst the organ is installed and voiced, there will be some disruption to Chapel life but our regular services will continue.
The organ will be dedicated and blessing in 2026 during an Organ Festival which will include recitals and special services.
Find out about more about the new Chapel organ
The Chapel is a beautiful venue and provides a space to celebrate the wider creative life of the College community through special events, concerts and exhibitions. As well as watercolour painting, poetry reading and drama, the Chapel also hosts a programme of concerts through the year organised by the College Music Society.
As a venue for the performing arts, we welcome other local and international choirs and instrumental ensembles from the wider community, as well as hosting a regular series of organ recitals given by organ scholars and international recording artists.
A highlight of each year is the May Concert, when musicians from across the College community perform to the highest level, sharing their gift of music-making in this popular summer celebration.
