About us
St John the Evangelist, the church by the roundabout at Waterloo, is an inclusive church. We believe that Jesus calls us to welcome everyone.
In the midst of our hectic city, we provide sanctuary, contemplation and spiritual enrichment. In the face of social injustice and deep need, we respond with action.
Our worship is in the Anglican catholic tradition. Our congregation is made up of LGBTQIA+ people, married people, single people, children and adults. We offer a warm welcome to students studying in London. We are from the UK, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Germany, the USA, Australia, Malaysia and many other places. We are strong supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement and want to be sure that everyone is heard and valued, reflecting God’s love for all.
Through our charity, The Bridge at Waterloo, we provide support, creative activities, English language conversation, and other activities for people seeking sanctuary in the UK, people experiencing homelessness and for young people and other local people for whom life’s challenges are acute.
We run the annual Waterloo Festival, a fringe of international, national and local creativity. We’re home to the alumni of Southbank Sinfonia, one of the best youth orchestras in the world. We provide meeting and performance space for hundreds of arts groups and charities. Our volunteer gardeners make our Churchyard an oasis of beauty and calm and we are committed to resisting climate change.
During the Second World War, St John’s was devasted by a firebomb. The church underwent a major restoration, reopening as the church of the Festival of Britain in 1951. Now, we have completed another major restoration: we re-opened in October 2022 transformed by a £5.5 million project led by world-famous Eric Parry Architects. As a result, our magnificent Grade II* church is once again bringing people together and ready to serve.
We have a lot going on. If any of it appeals to you, give us a try! Or, if you have any queries about our work and life, contact the Vicar at giles@stjohnswaterloo.org
Revd Canon Giles Goddard
Our People
Assistant Priests:
The Revd Georgie Bell
The Revd Godfrey Kaziro
The Revd Paul Smedley
The Revd Duncan Dormor
Parochial church council 2024-25
Chair
The Revd Canon Giles Goddard
Vice Chair
Church wardens
Elaine Thomas 2020
Faye Clinch 2021
Elected members
Robert Smeath (Treasurer) 2021
Pat Thomas (Secretary) 2020
Eileen Hamilton 2023
Lydian Bangi 2023
James Deeny 2023
Andrew Humphreys 2022
Alice Mwanje 2022
Maya Conway 2022
Alice Kawoya 2021
Conny Kaweesa 2024
Liz Clarson 2018
Ariel Goodbody 2024
Deanery synod representatives (three years)
Liz Clarson
Deborah Watkins
Southwark Pastoral Auxiliary (SPA)
Ida Serunjogi
Lay Reader
Ester Kawoya
South Bank Churches
St John’s is a member of a South Bank Churches Together – an ecumenical group of churches working together to support the local community. You can find out more here.
Our funders
We are grateful to the following trusts and foundations, and many individual donors, without whose interest, support and generosity none of our work would be possible. We are especially grateful to The Lovington Foundation for generously funding the creation of this website.
There are many ways in which organisations and individuals can support our work. Please get in touch with giles@stjohnswaterloo or find out about some of our current campaigns here. Donate here
Annual reports and Mission Action Plan
Safeguarding
As a parish community, we work hard to safeguard children and young people, vulnerable adults and those at risk from abusive relationships. We aim to create a safe environment where children and young people are nurtured and protected, and where all people – especially those who may be vulnerable for any reason – are able to worship and pursue their faith journeys with encouragement and in safety. We also aim to offer appropriate care for those who have been abused in the past.
We follow all the relevant national guidelines, as well as Church of England and Diocesan policies and practice. We ensure that those in roles which require it (both volunteers and paid workers) undertake regular and appropriate Safeguarding Training, and that all PCC members are familiar with and supportive of the Diocesan Policy and Practice Guidelines contained in A Safe Church.
Safeguarding at St John’s Waterloo
- St John’s Waterloo Safeguarding Officer: Alison Welch. She can be contacted via safeguarding@stjohnswaterloo.org.
Safeguarding across Southwark Diocese
- Diocesan Safeguarding Officer: Michael Browne
- Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer: Rebecca O’Neill
- Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officer: Louise Vernon
- Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officer: Christina Hope
- Safeguarding referrals and general enquiries: safeguarding@southwark.anglican.org
0207 939 9441 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm) - Safeguarding training: safeguardingtraining@southwark.anglican.org 0207 939 9476
- Admin and DBS: safeguardingadmin@southwark.anglican.org 020 7939 9478
Emergencies
- In situations of immediate risk, contact the police on 999.
Children and young people
- If you are worried that a child or young person is at risk of being harmed, abused or neglected, contact social services within your local authority area: www.gov.uk/find-local-council
- Lambeth Council – Safeguarding concerning Children: Call 0207 926 5555
- Further information – Report concerns about a child | Lambeth Council
- Useful websites – Childline | A free counselling service for kids and young people | Call: 0800 1111
- Report child abuse | NSPCC
Adults
- If you are worried that an adult is at risk of being harmed, abused or neglected, contact social services within your local authority area: www.gov.uk/find-local-council
- Lambeth Council – Safeguarding concerning Adults: Report it by phone via 020 7926 5555, during office hours (Monday-Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm) | Outside office hours phone 020 7926 5555, and select Option 3 for Safeguarding matters only
- Further information and to report a concern online: Report neglect or abuse of an adult | Lambeth Council
Support
- Support Services Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading support database, bringing local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS services together in one place for the first time.
- A wide range of local support can be accessed by inputting your postcode on https://hubofhope.co.uk/
Our parish policies regarding safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, and responding to domestic abuse, are set out below.