St. John's Chapel

St. John's Chapel is a Protestant church on Lafayette Square with a distinctive yellow exterior and tall windows. The building features a bell tower at its entrance and employs classical architectural details that reflect the style of its era.

The renowned architect Benjamin Latrobe designed this chapel as the second major building on Lafayette Square. Since the time of President James Madison, all subsequent presidents have attended services here.

The chapel has long served people from different backgrounds and beliefs. Visitors can see today how its simple interior design draws people of various faiths together.

The chapel opens its doors on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM for services and is easily accessible through the 16th Street entrance. Visitors should plan to arrive during services to fully experience the space and connect with the congregation.

During the famous March on Washington in 1963, church leaders held the doors open and welcomed about 700 participants for prayer. This act of openness showed the chapel's role as a refuge for people working toward change.

GPS coordinates: 36.59312,-121.87204

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:40