St. John’s Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead

St. John’s Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead

I was delighted to find St. John’s open. It sits on a large green in a prominent position. There are some glass doors here so people can see in. It is a beautifully kept church and is worth a visit. I found notelets, mugs, prayer cards, ties and dried flower petal confetti on sale as well as a guide booklet and one on the windows here. A man appeared and told me that the the church was normally locked but that there had been a funeral. They don’t open it as there had been a fire started in a shed some years ago which had badly damaged the church. Whilst we were talking a young couple came in and lit a candle at the votive stand here (there is a prayer board as well) and stood there quietly for a time before leaving. This is one reason why churches ought to be open. I have no idea why they felt they should come in but it was obviously a meaningful act for them and we should be brave enough to give our sacred space to others. Fear of the past and what might happen are stopping this church from being a real sacred heart to the community around. There is a rather dated website at http://www.stjohnsboxmoor.co.uk/ which says,

Our Aims

We aim to:

   * Reach out in love and service to the people of our parish

   * Support and accompany those in need, pain or grief

   * Welcome, teach and nurture newcomers of all ages

   * Care for one another and build each other up in faith

   * Worship God with beauty, dignity and warmth

“You shall love the Lord your God ….

and love your neighbour as yourself.”

Being open would help to do these!! This would be a good church  by my ratings if it was open. A rather wasted opportunity but I was glad that I got to go inside.