Faith and chapel life

An empty, brightly lit historic chapel with rows of wooden pews lining both sides of a central stone aisle leading to the altar.

Faith and spiritual reflection are woven into the life of St John’s. Rooted in a generous Christian tradition, the College welcomes people of all faith perspectives, fostering a community where curiosity, gratitude, and kindness shape how we learn and live together.

Our Chapel

At the heart of College life stands our Chapel, St Mary-the-Less, a place of prayer, worship and community for almost 900 years. Founded in around 1140, extensively restored in 1847, and acquired by St John’s College in 1919, the Chapel continues to shape the spiritual, musical and ceremonial life of the College today.

Students gather outside of the Church of St Mary the Less to celebrate matriculation into St. John's College

Chapel services

During University term, St John’s offers a varied pattern of worship, from traditional liturgy to contemporary services of prayer and praise.

Service times may vary each term, and details of special services or events are shared in the weekly College newsletter.

The Chapel remains open throughout the day as a place of quiet, reflection and prayer for all members of the community.

College Communion – Tuesdays, 4:30pm
College Prayer & Praise – Tuesdays, 7:00pm
Choral Evensong – Wednesdays, 5:15–6:00pm
Morning Prayer – Monday to Thursday, 8:30am
Evening Worship & Prayer – Thursdays and Fridays, 4:30pm

Did you know?

St Mary-the-Less was founded as a garrison chapel for soldiers stationed on Durham’s nearby city walls. Its name is believed to have been chosen to distinguish it from Durham Cathedral, with which it shares the Durham World Heritage Site and which is also dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The chapel contains a 13th Century sculpture depicting Jesus Christ,