About Us

Celebrating more than 125 years in the neighbourhood.

Welcome to the Rock on Locke!

We seek to create a place where all are free to explore deep questions without judgment or over-simplistic answers. We are ordinary people seeking to follow Jesus—a challenging and fulfilling experience that brings joy to our lives in many different ways.

We worship together at different times and in a variety of worship styles. While there are a number of “congregations” that are part of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, we are one parish family. We are united in our identity as follower of Jesus and in our participation in God's mission in our world. We hope that you will visit us. We seek to be welcoming and affirming of all people regardless of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We seek to welcome and support the gifts and ministries of all. And if you are looking for a church home, we hope you will find one among us here.

The Church of Saint John the Evangelist

An Anglican parish in Diocese of Niagara located in west downtown Hamilton in the heart of Locke Street neighbourhood, at the corner of Locke Street South at Charlton Avenue West. The church is also known as the Rock on Locke.

We understand our mission as a participation in God's own mission. Our mission statement:

God calls us to help people become followers of Jesus, equipped for ministry in the church and in the world through nurture, evangelism, worship, and service.

 

Our History

The Church of St. John the Evangelist started life in 1891 as a mission of St. Mark's Anglican Church in rented rooms on the Locke and Pine.  The cornerstone of this present building was laid in September 1891 it was open for worship the following February 21.  The worship was formal and “high church,” but the building itself was rather sparsely outfitted. The church building had a plain brick interior with the ceiling of the chancel painted blue.  The nave was furnished with chairs and with thin pads for kneelers.  A pipe organ was installed and used for the first time in 1896.  Ten years later the former Hannah Street Public School was purchased and became the parish hall.    After the 1914-18 war pews were installed and the church was roofed with slate.  A new pipe organ was installed in a beautifully carved wooden casing in 1927 as a parish memorial to the men of St. John the Evangelist who died overseas during the First World War. The chancel ceiling was also redecorated.  

To read the rest of this summary of the history of the church, as well as links to the scanned copies of the history booklet written in 1990, go to https://www.rockonlocke.ca/news/the-history-of-st-john-the-evangelist.