About us

Our Story

St John’s Hoxton was established in 1826 as a ‘Chapel of Ease’ in the Parish of Shoreditch. It soon became an independent parish church serving the rapidly growing population of Hoxton. In 1826 it was the only parish church serving Hoxton - but by 1896 there were 9 parishes in Hoxton! In the 21st century, we’re back down to three parishes serving our neighbourhood: Holy Trinity, St Anne’s and St John’s.

Today, Hoxton is home to around 25,000 people from every nation of the world. It’s a young, diverse and vibrant neighbourhood. 85% of the population are under 45, and 50% are in their teens or twenties. Despite being one of the closest residential neighbourhoods to the City of London, through which half the world’s wealth flows, Hoxton remains an extremely deprived neighbourhood. Child poverty, environmental and housing poverty are the most pressing issues.

St John’s Hoxton has had a particular concern for mission to all the people of the neighbourhood for almost two hundred years. Since 2010, when Revd Graham Hunter became Vicar, our vision has been summarised as aiming to be ‘a beacon of hope for Hoxton’. Everything we do is given focus by our Mission objectives: Worship God | Make Disciples | Share Jesus | Transform Hoxton.

We’ve grown in number over the past decade, to become a worshipping family of around 250-300 adults and children. But more than growth in number, we’ve grown in our capacity and our commitment to serving our neighbourhood, and bringing the amazing love of God in Jesus Christ to Hoxton. We believe that everyone in our neighbourhood should experience what it means to be reconciled to God in Christ (2 Cor 5:19), and experiencing life in all its fullness (John 10:10).

We hope you’ll come and join in with God’s mission here in Hoxton - or if you’re visiting this website from further afield, that you’ll pray God’s blessing on our community!