Churches on the Isle of Wight

For a relatively small Island there are many churches on the Isle of Wight.

They cover many different denominations.

Here are just a few of them.

St George's Church, Arreton Photo.

Dedicated to the Patron Saint of the Crusaders and therefore the Patron Saint of England, the present church was built by the monks of Quarr Abbey. The majority of the church dates from the 11th and 12th centuries.

St Mary's Church, Brading Photo.

The church dates from the 12th Century. The oldest part of the church is the Norman Nave.

St Thomas's Church, Newport Photo.

St Thomas's Church in Newport is the Parish Church of Newport. It is a Victorian Gothic Church in the town centre.

The tower is 138 feet high and has recently undergone much renovation. A church was first built on this site in 1180, with the present church being built in 1854. The foundation stone was laid by HRH Prince Albert.

Newport: Castlehold Baptist Church
Christians have been worshiping at the Baptist church here at Newport, Isle of Wight for the last 200 years. It is known locally as Castlehold Baptist Church, due to its location in the Castlehold area of Newport.
We're an active, Bible-believing church and we meet on Sundays at 10:30am and 6:30pm, with a variety of other activites for all ages during the week.

Christchurch Church, Sandown Photo.

The district church was consecrated in 1847, having originally been within the Parish of Brading. The church was originally a Garrison Church, close to Sandown Barracks.

Holy Trinity Church, Cowes
Holy Trinity Church is striking for its unusual location at the edge of the sea. Situated on rising land immediately behind the Royal Yacht Squadron it is prominently displayed to passing yachtsmen and its tiered gardens afford marvelous views over the busy waters of the Solent. It is constructed of distinctive Isle of Wight yellow brick in the Gothic Style with 100 feet long nave walls, 12 external buttresses, and a castellated tower. Inside, the pillar less nave is remarkably light and airy, and a notable feature is the Victorian organ, whose scale is unusually grand.
The Church was consecrated in 1832 as "a place of worship on Cowes foreshore for sailors and seafarers" and it very soon acquired a Royal and yachting patronage which has continued from Queen Victoria to the present day. The nave bears a number of memorial plaques honouring past members of the Royal Yacht Squadron and in the gardens stands the Fastnet Memorial. This rock sculpture was erected in memory of sailors who tragically lost their lives in the storm which struck the Fastnet race of 1979.
Yet the community of the Church is very much for local parishioners. There is a regular Sunday School for children under 11 years of age, and a separate group meeting for Young People over 11. Both are held during our 9.45 Sunday Service, except for every fourth Sunday in the month when all ages worship together for Family Worship. Holy Trinity has an informal, friendly atmosphere with frequent social events and musical entertainments. The Rev Richard Emblin and our congregation welcome new members and visitors to our Sunday Services and to our Tuesday Afternoon Group from 2-4 pm.

All Saints - Ryde The church of All Saints', Ryde dominates the skyline particularly when looking from the Portsmouth area of the mainland. Set on top of the highest hill in Ryde, the steeple can be seen from a great distance. The building was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott (who was also responsible for the Albert Memorial, St Pancras Station, the Foreign Office in London, and the renovation of Westminster Abbey) and built in 1869 - 72.

The pulpit is made of Derbyshire alabaster on polished marble columns, and appeared in the Great Exhibition of 1852, winning 1st prize in its class. The tower and spire, rising to 186 feet, contain a splendid ring of eight bells cast by Messrs Taylor and Co of Loughborough in 1866. The organ is a "Father Willis" and considered to be one of the finest church organs in the South of England. The church is fitted with a modern "loop" system for the hard of hearing.

Sunday Services include a said Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer) at 8.00 am, sung Eucharist at 10.00 am (Rite B) and sung Evensong at 6.30 pm (BCP). There is a said Eucharist on Wednesday at 10.00 am (BCP). On Monday to Saturday evening prayer is said at 6.30 pm.

All Saints Church, Freshwater Photo.

St Olave Church, Gatcombe Photo.

St Mary's Church, Godshill Photo.

Good Shepherd Church, Lake Photo.

All Saints Church, Newchurch Photo.

St Agnes Church, Freshwater Photo.

St Blasius Church, Shanklin Photo.

St Saviours Church, Shanklin Photo.

Designed by Island architect Thomas Hellyer, the church was built in 1860's due to the expanding town of Shanklin. It was consecrated in 1869, the tower and spire being added in 1883.

Ryde Methodist Church

Situated in Garfield Road, Ryde, the Circuit Church of the East Wight Methodist Circuit is an active welcoming church of approximately 165 members, with many more on the Community Roll. There are many weekday and weeknight activities, ranging from the uniformed youth organisations through to a flourishing Wives Group, Study Groups and Fellowship Meetings of several kinds. There is also a number of Housegoups at which all are welcome. There is a very active and happy relationship with the SunRyders, a group which meets on the premises and caters for youngsters with disabilities or learning difficulties and their families. Sunday worship is generally lively and varied, and is followed in the mornings by an informal coffee time. The church is open for visitors to look or chat on many weekdays in the summer months. The premises are inviting, cheerful and comfortable, and have full provision for the needs of both the mobility impaired and the hearing impaired, facilities which are used and appreciated by several independent organisations who meet on the premises.
The church is into its second century, and being in a conservation area has gained recognition for some of the necessary maintenance and modernisation projects carried out on the buildings.

Christ Church, Totland

St Mildred, Whippingham - Church web site

St Michaels, Ryde - Church web site

Holy Trinity, Ryde - Church web site

The Two Churches of St Boniface, Bonchurch - Church web site