Who we are. Our vision. Our story.

Welcome to St John the Baptist, Chipping Barnet — known locally as SJB: Barnet Church. We are a church belonging to the Church of England, supporting Barnet to walk in God’s footsteps.

We are a traditional and musical community, welcoming and inclusive, rooted in the worship of Jesus Christ and open to all who come in search of faith, belonging, or simply a place to rest and ask questions. At the heart of our life is the Eucharist — the sacrament in which Jesus Christ is truly and materially present, feeding us with his life and drawing us together in love.

But church is more than what we do on Sundays. We are a community that lives as well as worships together — sharing meals, gathering for parties on the green, and celebrating the rhythms of life with joy and care. We are diverse in background, united in prayer, and hopeful about the future God is calling us into.

Whether you are new to faith, returning after time away, exploring as a family, or seeking somewhere to grow more deeply, you are very welcome here.  Come and see.

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The importance of families to the church

At SJB, we believe that children are not only welcome — they are essential to our shared life. Families with children are part of every aspect of who we are, and we hope every parent who walks through our doors feels not only included, but actively wanted. We know that raising children can be joyful, tiring, messy, and beautiful — and we are a community that wants to walk alongside you through it all.

Children are welcome at every single service, no matter how much noise or energy they bring. We don’t expect silence — we expect life. Our 11:30am Family Worship on Sundays is short, informal and joyful, designed with real families in mind. But every service is open to children, and we’re delighted when they’re with us.

We have a thriving toddler group, Little Saints, every Thursday, and a beautiful Children’s Chapel created with and for our children — from painted altar frontals to colourful spaces to play. Our chorister programme offers excellent, inclusive musical education from age 7. In all this, we hope families will find friends, faith, and a place to belong.

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Music at SJB. A Living Tradition

Music is at the heart of SJB. It shapes our worship, binds our community, and helps us offer the beauty of holiness to God. Our musical tradition stretches back over 150 years, including the distinguished tenure of Sir Sydney Nicholson, founder of the Royal School of Church Music. Today, that tradition continues to flourish.

We welcome singers of all levels of experience who want to learn, grow, and contribute to our our goal of choral and musical excellence. Our choirs are open to boys and girls aged 7 and up, and to adults of all voice parts. Choristers rehearse weekly and sing regularly at Evensong, performing works by composers like Allegri, Fauré and Stanford. Our parish choir rehearses weekly, leading our Sunday Choral Eucharist, and together our choirs enrich our major festal services.

Our scholarship programmes support local young musicians, especially those aspiring to university choral or organ scholarships. Our vision, led by our Director of Music and Musical Mission Patryk Korczak (ARCO), is not only to serve the liturgy, but to use music to bless and enrich our wider community. Patryk is supported by our Vocal Coach, Cosima Rodriguez-Broadbent, and our Associate Organist, Jonathan Gregory FRCO, former Director of Music at Leicester Cathedral.

At SJB, music is more than sound. It is service, it is learning, it is community, and it is joy.

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