St. John's Episcopal Church: A Historic Gem in Lafayette Square
Discover the historic St. John's Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square, a serene landmark steeped in American history and architectural beauty.
Nestled in the heart of Washington, D.C., St. John's Episcopal Church offers tourists a unique blend of history, architecture, and spiritual reflection. This iconic landmark, located near the White House, is not only a place of worship but also a significant historical site that has witnessed pivotal moments in American history.
A brief summary to St. John's, Lafayette Square
- 1525 H St NW, Washington, Downtown, District of Columbia, 20005, US
- +1202-347-8766
- Visit website
- Monday 9 am-3 pm
- Tuesday 9 am-3 pm
- Wednesday 9 am-3 pm
- Thursday 9 am-3 pm
- Sunday 7:30 am-12:30 pm
Local tips
- Visit during a weekday morning service to experience the peaceful ambiance and local congregation.
- Check the church's website for special events or historical tours that may coincide with your visit.
- Explore the surrounding Lafayette Square for additional historical monuments and beautiful views of the White House.
- Bring your camera; the architecture and surrounding gardens offer excellent photo opportunities.
Getting There
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Metro
From Bethesda, walk to the Bethesda Metro Station located at 7400 Wisconsin Ave. Take the Red Line toward Glenmont. Travel for 10 stops (approximately 25 minutes) until you reach the Metro Center station. At Metro Center, transfer to the Blue, Orange, or Silver Line toward Largo Town Center, Vienna, or Wiehle-Reston East respectively. Get off at McPherson Square station. Exit the station and walk 0.3 miles (about 7 minutes) to St. John's Church at 1525 H St NW, Washington, DC.
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Bus
From anywhere in downtown Bethesda, head to the nearest bus stop and take the Ride On bus #34 or #36 toward Silver Spring. Get off at the stop for 'Rockville Pike & H St NW' (approximately 20 minutes). From there, transfer to the Metrobus #42 toward the National Archives. Get off at 'H St NW & 15th St NW' (about 10 minutes). St. John's Church is a short walk (about 5 minutes) at 1525 H St NW, Washington, DC.
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Walking
If you are already in downtown Bethesda, you can enjoy a scenic walk. Head east on Norfolk Ave toward Wisconsin Ave. Continue walking straight for about 1.5 miles. Cross over to the National Mall area, and continue walking toward H St NW. It will take approximately 30-35 minutes to reach St. John's Church at 1525 H St NW, Washington, DC.
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Bike Share
You can use Capital Bikeshare to bike from Bethesda to St. John's Church. Locate a nearby Capital Bikeshare station in Bethesda, rent a bike, and ride south on Wisconsin Ave. Continue to H St NW in Washington, D.C. Follow H St NW until you reach 15th St NW. It will take about 20-30 minutes, depending on your biking speed.
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