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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

St John Ambulance Brigade gas training class. PHA1117. Museum of the Order of St John, London.
World War Two, St John in Wartime, St John People

The 80th Anniversary of VE Day: St John Ambulances Involvement

Posted 8 May 2025
Museum of the Order of St John Rebecca Raven, Curator

To celebrate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, join Curator Rebecca as she discusses St John Ambulances involvement in both the Second World War, and the festivities that followed. Victory in Europe Day celebrates the formal acceptance of the... Read more

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Joyce, Josie, and Sophie with their display at the SJA Youth Open Day.
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Archives Revealed: what we've been up to in April 2025

Posted 1 May 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 April has had in store for them. Read more

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St John People, Volunteering

Nursing Hats: Tracing Gendered National Identity and Civil Duty through Uniformity

Posted 25 April 2025
Museum of the Order of St John Madi Hough, Student Placement

As part of a work experience grant project from the Costume Society, Madi Hough has been working with the Museum over the past few months to explore our collection of hats. See how she got on below... [caption id="attachment_22556"... Read more

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A photograph of a page in a book which features a black and white photograph of a horse and cart. The cart is on the left side and the horse is wearing a harness and reins and attached to the card on the right side. A man is sitting in the cart, holding the reins. Above the photograph are the words ‘Dhanpat Rai’s New Pattern double harness iron folding Cart PHOTOGRAPH NO. 1. Below the photograph are the words ‘POSITION NO. 1’. One of the transport designs photographed in the book: STJ/SJO/2/1/2/4)
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Archives Revealed: what we’ve been up to in March 2025

Posted 1 April 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 March has had in store for them. Read more

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A sepia photograph of a woman, showing only her head and shoulders. The woman is looking towards the viewer and smiling. She is wearing a dark hat, a dress, and she has a scarf around her neck. Lady Annie Brassey © National Portrait Gallery
St John Archive, 10 Minute Talks, St John People

Lady Annie Brassey

Posted 13 March 2025
Museum of the Order of St John Sophie Denman (Archivist)

In this blog, which accompanies our International Women’s Day 10-minute talk, Archivist Sophie Denman shines a light on one of the women of St John in honour of Women’s History Month: Annie Brassey, a writer, traveller, and supporter of the St John Ambulance Association She gained her interest in emergency and medical care after being involved in an accident as a child, and s an adult, sailed around the world in her yacht, the ‘Sunbeam’, promoting the Association, writing about her travels and capturing them on film, and collecting natural and ethnographic ‘curiosities’. 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: