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

  • “When you feel the world is going mad, come here. You will see that for years and all over the world, some people care for others. Humanity is good. Thanks to all these people.”
  • "Lovely visit, my 5 year old son enjoyed the children's activity trail which we did together - very engaging, thank you!"
  • "Thank you to the kind man at reception who helped with Dad’s wheelchair! Great museum!"
  • "St John Ambulance saved my life on 1st March 2015 so I came here to learn more. Keep up the good work!"

News and events

Artist's impression of the Priory Church of the Order of St John, Clerkenwell, c.1950s Click to expand image Artist's impression of the Priory Church of the Order of St John, Clerkenwell, c.1950s

Farringdon Ring Tour Launched

We are delighted to announce that award winning GPS-audio tour brand, Geotourist have launched a new Farringdon Ring tour to help visitors and locals explore the historic heart of London. Working in partnership with the Charterhouse, the Museum of The Order of St John, St Bartholomew’s Hospital Museum, Smithfield Market, and the churches of St Bartholomew the Great and St Bartholomew the Less, the audio tour ties together the medical, social, religious, and cultural history of Farringdon.

Please click here to download the tour.

 

READ MORE ABOUT HIRING OUR VENUES
Click to expand image
Free Family Activity

Saturday 1st December - Saturday 22nd December

10am - 4pm
Help decorate our Christmas Tree

Pop in to St John’s Gate and help us to decorate our enormous Christmas Tree!

Create your own decoration to hang on the tree, before exploring the Museum with our free family trails and getting hands-on using the activity buckets.

 

 

 

READ MORE ABOUT OUR EVENTS

Christmas closing times

The Museum will be shut for the festive season from Sunday 23rd December 2018 – Friday 4th January 2019.

Last day of opening: Saturday 22nd December 2018

Museum reopens: Saturday 5th January 2019

Guided tours will run as usual on both Saturdays.

 

READ MORE ABOUT HIRING OUR VENUES
  • 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

Visitors in the Crypt
Uncategorized

You Comment, We Respond: A Year of Comment Cards

Posted 29 November 2018
Museum of the Order of St John Isobel MacAuslan, Museum Assistant

If you have visited our museum, you will have seen our comment board. Every month we collect the comments that our visitors left and respond via our “You Comment, We Respond” poster. As we approach the end of the year, we thought we would update... Read more

See more blog posts
History

In Peace and War : St John After the Armistice

Posted 12 November 2018
Museum of the Order of St John Isobel MacAuslan, Museum Assistant

Although the fighting ceased at 11am on 11th November 1918, the work of the Order of St John did not. The founders of St John Ambulance had been adamant that the organisation should provide aid in times of peace as well as war. With victory... Read more

See more blog posts
See through figures on benches in a paved garden
History

St John and the First World War

Posted 31 October 2018
Museum of the Order of St John Isobel MacAuslan, Museum Assistant

The contributions made by St John during the First World War were extensive. Within the first six months of the conflict, 12,000 trained volunteers had been mobilised. In total, 45,000 St John men and women participated in the war effort and 1,077... Read more

See more blog posts
A black and white portrait photograph, half length, of a man with mostache in a uniform with hat and medals W.J. Church Brasier LDOSJ PHA427
Volunteering, Collection Highlights

'The Chief': W.J. Church Brasier (1856-1911)

Posted 3 October 2018
Museum of the Order of St John Katherine Emery, Collections Volunteer

In the collections of the Museum of the Order of St John is a group of medals awarded to W.J. Church Brasier. His vast array of 14 medals and insignia as well as 11 miniatures - totaling 25 medals and insignia overall - provide a physical... Read more

See more blog posts
Christ on a large cross. Two angels look down on him in prayer and symbol of the Order above him. Sculpture of the Crucifixion
Art, Conservation

Restoration of the Crucifixion Sculpture

Posted 3 October 2018
Museum of the Order of St John Isobel MacAuslan, Museum Assistant

As you enter our Cloister Garden, you may have noticed the beautiful sculpture on the Eastern Wall depicting the Crucifixion. The sculpture presents Christ on the cross, surmounted by the Order’s eight-pointed cross on circular base, with angelic... Read more

See more blog posts

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: