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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

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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The cover of a booklet accompanying a Smoking Concert. The cover is busy with text and illustrations. In the centre of the page is the Smoking Concert location information, flanked on the left by an illustration of a first aid hut and on the right by a wheeled ambulance litter and an accompanying man. Below, across the length of the bottom of the page, is an illustration of a St John Ambulance Brigade member in 1890, and a member of the Knights Hospitaller in 1090, both surrounded by a motif of leaves. At the top of the page are the words ‘Pro Utilitate Hominum’, and below that, in a row, are three illustrations: on the left is an illustration of St John’s Gate, on the right is an illustration of an early horse-driven ambulance, and in between is the logo of the St John Ambulance Association. Below that are the words ‘St John Ambulance Brigade’. The cover of the Smoking Concert programme, 1890.
St John Archive

Explore Your Archive 2024: Disco

Posted 27 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 ‘Disco’, Archivist Sophie Denman features a disco of sorts. Read more

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Part of the digitisation process for some Cadet magazines © TownsWeb Archiving
St John Archive

Explore Your Archive 2024: Mythology

Posted 26 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 ‘Mythology’, Archivist Sophie Denman looks at an archival myth. 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: