St John’s, the church on the IMAX roundabout at Waterloo, is a historic 1824 Grade II* church that reopened in October 2022 after a major restoration by Eric Parry Architects.

St John’s produces a year-round programme of arts and culture, including the annual Waterloo Festival, and is co-home to the academy-orchestra Sinfonia Smith Square. In the past few years, it welcomed renowned international musicians, including Angela Hewitt, Steven Osborne and Doric String Quartet, as well as played host to professional and amateur orchestras. In partnership with prominent human rights organisations and through visual arts and literature, St John’s is also actively engaged with social justice, addressing issues such as press freedom, censorship, homelessness and climate change.

Beyond the arts, St John’s runs the award-winning churchyard garden and a variety of community projects for people experiencing homelessness and isolation as well as local community members for whom life’s challenges are now even more acute.