Who are we?
St John's is the parish church of Caterham Valley. We are part of the Caterham Anglican Group Ministry in the Southwark Diocese of the Church of England.
Our Mission Statement
St John’s Church is called by God to be his people through faith in Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit; worshipping him, growing in holiness, making disciples and serving others.
Our Mission Action Plan, 2026-2029
“In [Christ] the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God”. Ephesians 2:22
"Church means togetherness and love for me." – Anonymous Church member
St John’s is a Christ-centred, inclusive, and welcoming community in the heart of Caterham Valley. We grow together in faith, valuing kindness, belonging, and service. In recent years, we've focused on children’s and older people’s ministry, disability inclusion and social justice (especially through the work of the Mother’s Union and Eco-Church Committee).
Following prayer and reflection, three key priorities emerged for the next three years:
1. Faith
Faith in Christ is central to all we do.
We will deepen our spiritual life through Bible study, prayer groups, and teaching that equips us to share our faith and trust God in every part of life. We aim to build a culture where questions are welcomed and people grow confident in sharing their beliefs and prayer lives.
2. Hospitality & Community
St John’s is known for its warm welcome.
We will work to better integrate new members into the life of the church and understand how to engage those aged 11–60, a group currently underrepresented. We want to be a church for all life stages.
3. Sacred Space
Our building is a gift to the community. We will continue to improve accessibility (e.g. via the accessibility building project) and explore how the space can serve the wider town, such as through events and open doors for visitors.
Beyond the building, we will offer sacred space through presence—by tackling loneliness, launching a pastoral team, and affirming the care many already provide.
We’ll continue to support initiatives like Hear, Here, Munch with Music, and our partnerships with local schools, care homes, charities and support groups.
Above all, we’ll focus less on doing more, and more on being present—offering peace, welcome, and the love of Christ in a busy world.
“Come to me all you who are weary, and I will give you rest.”