1906 photo of church
Who We Are
We’re a 199-year-old startup that exists to proclaim the gospel!
Since 1826, St. John’s has been spreading the one-way love of God for sufferers. Born as an anti-slavery church, we’re still known for our diversity nearly two centuries later. But we’ve stopped pretending we have it all together.
The truth? We need grace as much as anyone—maybe more. That honest need, mixed with our rich diversity, has shaped us into a community defined by love and mercy, humility and openness.
Come see for yourself. We’d love to welcome you.
Our Priest
The Rev. Ben DeHart serves as our Rector (head pastor). A New Jersey native, he studied history and theology in Pittsburgh before moving to New York City, where he has ministered for over a decade.
Ben is passionate about preaching, teaching, and building authentic community. Whether after Sunday worship or a weekday coffee, he loves connecting with parishioners and newcomers alike.
Before coming to St. John’s, Ben 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, and Associate Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Oakmont, PA.
He’s excited for what God has in store for St. John’s as we step into the future together. If you have questions about the church—or just want to say hello—reach out at ben@parkslopchurch.org
Our Youth Minister
Miss Chelsy is the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Diocese of Long Island, and also serves as our Children’s Minister. With over a decade of experience in youth ministry, she brings creativity, energy, and a deep love for Christ to everything she does. Whether through hands-on crafts, imaginative activities, or heartfelt conversations, she helps young people grow in faith in ways that are meaningful and memorable. You’ll find her with us on Sundays—and plenty of other days, too! Reach out at chelsy@parkslopechurch.org.
Our Music Director
Alex Nguyen is a trumpeter, composer, arranger, and Music Director whose work spans jazz, choral, and sacred music. A native of Savannah, Georgia, he has performed as both a bandleader and sideman with some of the most respected names in jazz. His trumpet has graced renowned venues such as Birdland, Mezzrow, Iridium, Lincoln Center, and the Metropolitan Museum, and he has toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. Among his accolades are top honors at the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Competition and the Jamey Aebersold Award for Artistry at the National Trumpet Competition.
As a composer and arranger, Nguyen’s work bridges genres, from big band jazz to sacred choral music. His piece “The First Year” was featured on NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron’s album The Traveler, and his compositions have been showcased at prestigious residencies such as Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead at the Kennedy Center and Ravinia's Steans Music Institute. In sacred music, he has arranged and composed for choirs and ensembles, blending hymns, spirituals, gospel, and jazz to create deeply moving worship experiences.
Beyond performance and composition, Nguyen is passionate about fostering musical community. He has curated concert series, jazz performances, and communal singing events, providing artists with platforms to share their work.
He holds a degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Florida, where he studied with legendary saxophonist Bunky Green, and a Master’s in Jazz Studies from SUNY Purchase, where his mentors included trumpeters Jon Faddis and Jim Rotondi.
Alex is thrilled to reconnect with Rev. Ben and bring his musical gifts to the church. If you’re interested in singing with our volunteer choir, reach out at alex@parkslopechurch.org—we’d love to have you!
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!