1906 photo of church
Who We Are
We’re a 198-year-old start up that exists to proclaim the good news of the Gospel. St. John’s was founded in 1826 as an anti-slavery church, and our diversity is a point of pride among our members. That said, we’re not perfect: we’ve come to realize we’re as in need of grace as any other church (or individual). But we’re hopeful that it’s this recognition combined with our diverseness that’s led us to be defined by love and mercy; humility and openness. Won’t you join us?
Our Priest
The Rev. Ben DeHart is our Rector (head pastor). He was born and raised in the Princeton/Trenton-area of NJ, studied history and theology in Pittsburgh, and has since spent over 10 years serving as a priest in New York City.
Ben brings a passion for preaching, teaching, and community building. He loves grabbing coffee with parishioners and folks who are trying to figure out if St. John’s is for them.
Ben has served as Canon for Parish Life at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, AL, Vicar of Calvary-St. George’s Church in Manhattan, NY, and as Associate Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Oakmont, PA. He’s excited for what God has in store for St. John’s, Park Slope.
If you have any questions about the church, or would just like to get to know Ben email him at Ben@parkslopechurch.org.
Our Youth Minister
Chelsy is the current Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Diocese of Long Island, but we’re blessed that she spends her Sundays (and whole lot of other days) with us! With over 10 years experience in Youth Ministry, her approach involves hands-on crafts and imaginative engagement, ensuring a meaningful connection to Christ. chelsy@parkslopechurch.org.
Our Music Director
Alex NGuyen has served as trumpeter, composer, arranger, and Music Director in a diverse range of musical contexts.
The Savannah, Georgia native has performed extensively on trumpet as a bandleader and sideman with some of the world’s finest up-and-coming and veteran jazz musicians. Nguyen has appeared at notable New York City venues such as Birdland, Kitano, Iridium, Mezzrow, Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum, and has had the opportunity to perform throughout Europe, Asia and the United States. He is the winner of the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Competition, and Jamey Aebersold Award for Artistry at the National Trumpet Competition.
Nguyen’s contributions as a composer and arranger span from choral music to big band. His composition “The First Year” was featured on NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron’s album The Traveler. He was selected as a composer/performer for residencies at Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and Ravinia's Steans Music Institute in Chicago. In the realm of sacred music, Nguyen has composed and arranged numerous works for choir and other ensembles, and blended traditional hymns, spirituals, jazz and gospel at various institutions. Seeking to cultivate community around music, Nguyen has programmed a variety of musical events from communal singing, to jazz clubs and concert series, providing musicians opportunities to premiere new projects to appreciative audiences.
A graduate of the University of North Florida’s Jazz Studies program where he studied with legendary alto saxophonist Bunky Green, Nguyen also holds a Masters in Jazz Studies from SUNY Purchase, where he studied with seminal trumpeters Jon Faddis and Jim Rotondi. Rev. Ben and Alex have worked together before at another church and are so happy to be reconnected! If you’re interested in singing in our volunteer choir email alex@parkslopechurch.org.
We believe in One God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
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We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made.
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For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
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We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
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We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
We believe in One God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. • We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. • For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. • We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. • We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Rectory and Chapel (1869)
Our Church and Our Park Slope Community
by Susan McHenry
St. John’s current church ground — 139 Saint John’s Place between Seventh and Sixth Avenues — was established in 1869 with a small brick chapel and a spacious 14-room rectory built on a property bought by the parish in what was then “the wilds” of Brooklyn’s Park Slope.
Situated west of Prospect Park, Park Slope was conceived as a neighborhood to accommodate New York’s then growing merchant class; business owners could commute from Manhattan across the East River by ferry (later via the Brooklyn Bridge) and take the trolley that ran up Flatbush Ave. and along Seventh Ave.
St. John’s Church saw the homeowners and their families leave the city for the suburbs. New people came to New York and some, particularly from the Caribbean and Latin America, bought brownstones in Park Slope, which were retained as single homes or converted into multiple-unit dwellings. Many of the newcomers came from countries where they had been brought up in the Anglican Church. In Park Slope they followed their faith and worshipped at St. John’s Church.
In recent years, many new families with young children have joined St. John’s. Some of these families live in Park Slope. Some live in other neighborhoods despite the many options they have in what is known as “Brooklyn, the Borough of Churches.” We’re proud to note our congregation remains as racially diverse as that of the 1826 founding parish of this originally antislavery church, and prouder still that our best years are ahead of us!