About us

All are welcome here

John Street United Methodist Church is a progressive, all‑ages Christian church in downtown NYC.

Steps away from Fulton Center and the World Trade Center, we have members from Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. But we especially serve the Financial District, Pace University, Chinatown, Lower East Side, Tribeca and Battery Park City.

Since the American Revolution, we've welcomed visitors to New York to our Sunday worship.

Downtown and Wall Street workers have loved the music at our 30-minute lunchtime Wonderful Wednesday for years. And now our museum is open for history‑lovers on weekdays too!

Want to visit us? Learn why all are welcome

What's a Sunday like?

It's traditional, but simple. We sing hymns from the 19th and 20th century to piano accompaniment. Sermons are grounded in Biblical exegesis and useful stories from the present and our church's past. Everything is unmemorized and printed in a bulletin or hymnal. It's usually less than an hour long.

Dress ranges from jeans to suits. Most Sunday visitors come in the midst of a day spent exploring the World Trade Center and Battery Park. So, don't worry: please come as you are!

Children are welcome in our Sunday school (for ages 4+) or with their parents in our Sunday worship service. We also have changing facilities and a quiet room for younger children.

Meet our pastor What do Methodists believe?

Sunday worship

Our weekly meeting (and coffee hour)

Visit in-person Sunday at 11am
Zoom stream ID: 867 4082 9447
Watch our latest services

Sunday school

Fun and learning for kids (ages 4+)

Visit in-person Sunday at 11am
Get it by email Materials sent weekly

Wonderful Wednesday

A short, mid-week lunchtime break with legendary music, a brief homily, and prayer

Visit in-person Wednesday at 12:15pm

Monday Bible study

Online-only, small-group scripture discussion

Time Monday at 7pm
Zoom meet ID: 907 389 7771

Book group

A bi-monthly, online-only readers conclave

Email the group leader

Meet our pastor

Rev. Stefanie Bennett | @bennettdictions

Ordained an elder in the Texas Annual Conference in 1996, Stefanie began her career serving rural, suburban, and urban churches in the Houston area. In 2005, she moved to Connecticut and served New Milford UMC and First UMC in Middletown, followed by an appointment at First UMC Amityville on Long Island. Stefanie has served John Street Church since 2017.

Stefanie has a particular interest in finding lessons for the present in our past. Her research focuses on the nineteenth century, especially anti-slavery, abolitionism, and the Civil War.

Hear recent sermons

Welcome statement

Photo of women at church

Learning from 250 years of ministry, and following Jesus Christ today, John Street United Methodist Church invites into its fellowship all persons seeking to live in the Christian environment of the Church, and to receive its nurture and assistance throughout the course of their lives. This invitation is extended without regard to one's economic status, education, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, political beliefs, ethnic origin, or the present state of their spiritual journey.

We publicly affirm that we welcome all persons to participate fully in the worship, fellowship, educational, and service life of our church.

— Unanimously approved by the John Street Church Conference, October 28, 2013