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The Museum of the Order of St John

The unique and fascinating story of an ancient religious military Order, from its origins caring for sick pilgrims in eleventh century Jerusalem, through to its modern-day role with St John Ambulance, the international first aid charity.

What our visitors say

  • "I absolutely loved it. Such an interesting topic and so well presented. One of my favourite museum experiences ever."
  • "What a gem of a museum! Thank you for an interesting and enlightening visit."
  • "The receptionist is one of the most cheerful and friendly people I've ever met!"

News and events

Our new podcast series 'Off the Shelves at St John's Gate'. Click to expand image Our new podcast series 'Off the Shelves at St John's Gate'.

Off the Shelves at St John's Gate: A Podcast Series

On 13th May 2024 we will be launching a new podcast series featuring new research into the history of the Order of St John in the later medieval and early modern periods – when the Order was headquartered on Rhodes and Malta, and our priory here in London was built. Each episode begins as we take an item off the shelves from our historic library collection, and explore different aspects of our history that it leads us to investigate.

To find out more and download the latest episode head to the Podcast page.

Off the Shelves at St John’s Gate: a Podcast Series – Museum of the Order of St John

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Click to expand image

New Publication: For Service in the Cause of Humanity

Marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Order of St John’s Life Saving Medal, For Service in the Cause of Humanity, edited by Roger Willoughby and John Wilson, critically documents the previously untold story of these highly prestigious but little-known awards. 

Buy yours online from the Great British Bookshop.

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  • View of the interior of the Priory Church of the Order of St John The Priory Church of the Order of St John. Photography by Shaun Le Gassick
  • View of the interior of the Crypt of the Priory Church of the Order of St John The Crypt. Photography by Shaun Le Gassick
  • View of the Link Gallery of the Museum of the Order of St John The Link Gallery. © MOSJ
  • ALT= The Cloister Garden. © MOSJ
  • ALT= The Chapter Hall. © MOSJ

Blog

A white woman in glasses with dark hair wearing a dark jumper is sitting at a table covered in a green cloth, next to a window. On the table in front of her is a laptop, and piles of documents. She is leafing through the documents. Archives Revealed Project Volunteer Joyce Guillaume working on some annual returns for the St John Ambulance Brigade’s No. 78 Fairlop Nursing Division.
St John Archive, Volunteering

Archives Revealed: what we've been up to in January 2025

Posted 3 February 2025
Museum of the Order of St John Sophie Denman (Archivist)

In this latest blog post about our Archives Revealed project to catalogue the founding records of St John Ambulance, we hear from the Archives Revealed team about what January has had in store for them. Read more

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An area of the St John Archive.
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Archives Revealed: a wrap-up of the project work in 2024

Posted 18 December 2024
Museum of the Order of St John Sophie Denman (Archivist)

As we reach the end of 2024, the Museum’s Archives Revealed Project Delivery Team look back over the project so far. Read more

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An area of the St John Archive.
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Explore Your Archive 2024: Your Archive

Posted 30 November 2024
Museum of the Order of St John Sophie Denman (Archivist)

Today is the final day of Explore Your Archive, a celebration of archives of all kinds across the nation, organised by the Archives & Records Association for UK & Ireland, and for today’s theme ‘Your Archive’, Archivist Sophie Denman looks at an animal utilised by St John Ambulance. Read more

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A black painted wooden shield. The central shield plaque has a highly decorative impressed decoration featuring a central image of a horse-drawn ambulance in the background and people in the foreground, with five male uniformed officers tending to a patient on stretcher. Surrounding the central plaque is a border of 40 small shields dating from 1904-1954, with another border of 55 shields dating from 1955-2000. The Dewar Shield, 1897-2000.
St John Archive

Explore Your Archive 2024: Animals

Posted 29 November 2024
Museum of the Order of St John Sophie Denman (Archivist)

Today is the ninth day of Explore Your Archive, a celebration of archives of all kinds across the nation, organised by the Archives & Records Association for UK & Ireland, and for today’s theme on ‘Animals’, Archivist Sophie Denman looks at an animal utilised by St John Ambulance. Read more

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Queen Elizabeth the Queen mother is standing in the middle of a group of people. She is wearing a light coloured long coat and hat, and an animal skin scarf. She is talking to a woman, dressed in the uniform of a St John Ambulance Brigade Nursing member. Behind them is a group of men and women. Some of these people are dressed in the uniform of St John Ambulance Brigade members, and others are in civilian dress. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother attending a Flag Day event for the Committee of the British Red Cross and the Order of St John (PHA1672)
St John Archive

Explore Your Archive 2024: Family

Posted 28 November 2024
Museum of the Order of St John Sophie Denman (Archivist)

Today is the fifth day of Explore Your Archive, a celebration of archives of all kinds across the nation, organised by the Archives & Records Association for UK & Ireland, and for today’s theme on ‘Family’, Archivist Sophie Denman looks at our relationship with the royal family. Read more

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Sponsors

The Museum of the Order of St John would like to thank all those who have supported and continue to support its work. In particular, the Museum would like to thank the following for their generosity: