St John The Divine West Worthing
You know that feeling when you walk past a building every day, barely noticing it, until one day it suddenly winks at you? That’s St John The Divine in West Worthing. It’s tha...
You know that feeling when you walk past a building every day, barely noticing it, until one day it suddenly winks at you? That’s St John The Divine in West Worthing. It’s that lovely, unassuming church on the corner, the one with the friendly red brick and the squat little tower that looks like it’s leaning in for a chat. For years, I just zoomed past it on my way to get milk, and now I feel a bit silly for missing out.
Not your average Sunday service
St John’s isn’t the kind of place that asks for a membership card. You can wander in on a Wednesday for the weekly Coffee Morning, grab a cuppa and a biscuit, and listen to Doris from number 47 talk about her cat’s latest adventure. It’s the kind of warmth you don’t expect until the vicar catches your eye and gives you a proper nod, like you’ve always belonged.
Last week, I popped in during the Art Trails event. The nave was filled with paintings of seagulls stealing chips, and a lady was knitting tiny woolly hats for the church’s collection box. It felt less like a sacred space and more like a community living room, messy and alive. You might even hear a toddler shriek during the peace, and nobody blinks an eye.
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Why you should care (yes, you)
Think of St John’s as the hub of the wheel for West Worthing. If you need a quiet place to sit with your thoughts after a rubbish day at work, the door is always open. The benches in the garden are perfect for eating a sad sandwich while pretending to read a book, but then someone from the gardening group will offer you a spare tomato.
St John the Divine - A Church Near You
It’s also a lifesaver for new parents. The church hosts a baby and toddler group on Thursday mornings. I saw a dad once trying to balance a crying baby and a spilled cup of tea, and two strangers jumped up to help before he could even ask. That’s the vibe: people who notice.
The little things that matter
The flower arrangements on the altar are a glorious mess of homegrown hydrangeas and slightly wilting freesias. They look like someone’s Nan just popped out from the back garden, which is probably true. There’s even a tiny shelf near the back with free jigsaw puzzles, the ones missing a few pieces, and a sign that says, “Take one, leave one.”
Church of St John the Divine, Worthing, West Sussex
And the bell ringers? They practice on Tuesday evenings. You’ll hear the clanging from two streets away, and it sounds like a cheerful argument between a bunch of enthusiastic amateurs. It’s perfectly imperfect. You smile before you even know why.
Your invitation (no strings attached)
You don’t have to be religious to love this place. You just have to be human. Whether you’re after a pocket of calm, a cuppa with a stranger who becomes a friend, or a place to donate your old coat for the winter, St John’s says “come as you are.” So next time you’re walking down South Street, don’t just hurry past. Poke your head in. The kettle is probably on, and someone will be happy to see you.
