In 1853, the Duke of Newcastle, in a letter to the Earl of Elgin, then Governor General of the Canadas, deeded a piece of land on the corner of Sussex Drive and Mackenzie Street for the construction of a chapel for Anglican soldiers stationed in Bytown.

In that year, when the congregation of "goodly and godly" people was sufficiently large, the Parish Church of St. John the Evangelist was consecrated and the Reverend H. Pollard was installed as the first Rector.

A small core of thirty people left St. George's over a dispute centering on the liturgy, and this group bought a piece of land at the corner of Elgin and Somerset Streets from James McLaren of Buckingham, Quebec.

[2] At this time, St. John's (Sussex Drive) established a small mission church in Lower Town and this was known as St. Augustine's, Anglesea Square.

The organ, located in the northeast corner of the church, was built in 1977 by Gabriel Kney of London, Ontario.

It contains some 2,000 hand-made pipes, including a unique rank of fanfare trumpets which project horizontally into the church.

[5] Memorials are dedicated to parishioners Gunner Tom L.F. Martin and to Allan Ure Gilmour, who died in service during the Great War.

[6][7] The Church of St John the Evangelist erected a memorial Chapel, scrolls in wood frame and glass cover, and banner, which was unveiled by Right Reverend Robert Jefferson, Bishop of Ottawa on 25 February 1951.

This Warriors' Chapel was erected in grateful remembrance of those members of St John's Church serving in the Armed Forces who made the supreme sacrifice for their King and country in order that we might continue to live in that freedom which is, by the grace of God, our rightful heritage.

where we may gather together the memories of those who have gone before us, cherish the ideas for which they strove, and take good heart from their devotion, that we may further Thy work here on earth.

[4] A memorial plaque is dedicated to parishioners Flying Officer Allen Garnett Wright, and Stuart Frank Brott who died in service during World War II.

[4] St. John's describes itself as "a large progressive church with emphasis on liturgical renewal, music, and social service."

In the mid-1980s when Allen Box was the rector, the AIDS epidemic struck, and gay people and their families came to the church looking for support.

The Well enhances each woman's ability to function independently in the community, to the best of her capabilities, through the use a facility, practical services and support.