Worship

Regular Services
at St John's, Upper Norwood

Welcome to St John's, a vibrant, inclusive High Anglican church in the heart of Upper Norwood. Our church is a sacred space where all are welcome: whether you are a lifelong Christian, exploring faith for the first time, or navigating doubt. People of all ages, backgrounds, races, sexualities, and gender identities are part of our community.

Welcoming congregation gathered for Sunday worship at St John’s Upper Norwood

Sunday Worship,
the Heart of our Community

Sundays at St John's, Upper Norwood, are central to our spiritual life. Everyone is welcome to attend our services, which blend tradition, music, prayer, and thoughtful preaching.

Led by our Vicar and Assistant Vicar, Holy Communion at St John’s Upper Norwood is a sacred moment of sharing bread and wine in Christ’s presence and love.

10:30 am – High Mass

Our principal Sunday service is the High Mass, a beautiful celebration of the Eucharist with full ceremonial and music led by our renowned choir. The service lasts around 75 minutes and is followed by refreshments and time for conversation and connection.

Children & Youth:
Children and their families are very welcome at St John’s.
Please feel free to ask if you would like colouring books and crayons, or if you’d like to be directed to the Sunday School in the vestry, where children take part in activities related to what the grown-ups are doing in church.

During the first part of the service, we offer engaging, age-specific groups:

Children are welcome at Mass at St John’s Upper Norwood, with family-friendly worship, inclusive teaching, and a joyful space for young faith to grow.

Weekday Services

Strengthen your spiritual life with our regular weekday services:

  • We begin each day with the Office of Morning Prayer, which includes psalms, readings from the Old and New Testaments, and prayers. This service lasts about 20 minutes and is quiet, contemplative, and inclusive.

  • Each day, we conclude our formal times of prayer with an evening service of psalms and readings, which help us bring before God all that we’ve done during the day, and those things we hope to commit to accomplishing tomorrow.

  • At the Low Masses, we continue the rhythm of remembering Jesus’ presence with us throughout the week in the sacrament of the altar. These are more intimate Masses, where we deepen our understanding of our love for God and our fellowship with one another.

  • Join us at 9:30 am on the first Saturday of each month for the Rosary, a quiet time of prayer, reflection, and communion with Our Lady Mary, united with the prayers of the whole Church, both seen and unseen.

    This will be followed by the 10 am Low Mass, which will be a Marian Mass, including a hymn at the Offertory.

  • We love a Feast Day, when we gather in celebration to remember the characters and heroes of our Faith. A feast day is exactly that—a day to feast and be thankful. The Mass on these days is even more celebratory of God’s presence with us.

Experience the beauty of Anglican choral tradition at St John’s Upper Norwood, with our choir leading Choral Evensong and Sung Evening Prayer each week.

1st & 3rd Sundays at 6:00 PM

Choral Evensong

Experience the beauty of Choral Evensong, a timeless and contemplative sung service featuring psalms, canticles, hymns, and Scripture readings. This service invites you into peaceful reflection through sacred music and prayer.

🕯️ Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament follows Choral Evensong on the 1st Sunday of each month—a quiet, prayerful time of silence, adoration, and blessing.


4th & 5th Sundays at 6:00 PM

Said Evening Prayer

On the 4th and 5th Sundays, we offer a Said Evening Prayer service—a quieter, spoken liturgy rooted in Scripture, stillness, and tradition.

Sunday Evening Prayer
– Monthly Schedule

Join us on Sunday evenings at 6:00 PM for a reflective and sacred close to the Lord’s Day. Our Evening Prayer services follow a regular monthly rhythm, offering both musical and spoken worship within the rich tradition of the Anglican liturgy.

Sermons & Reflections

Our sermons feature a diverse range of voices, including clergy, lay leaders, and guest preachers, offering fresh insights on scripture and everyday life.

Explore More at St John's

 

Practical Information

Everyone is welcome 💛

Dress code: Come as you are – no formal attire required.
Accessibility: We warmly welcome all visitors. The church offers level access, ramps, and an accessible toilet. Communion can be brought to your seat if needed. If you need assistance, our welcomers are happy to help.

📍 Location: St John’s, Upper Norwood, Sylvan Road, London SE19 2RX
🕤 Church Open Daily: 8:45 AM – 5:30 PM

Have more questions? We’re happy to help!
📧 Email: office@sjun.org.uk
📞 Phone: 020 8771 6686