St Lawrence Old Church, St Lawrence, Isle of Wight
St Lawrence Old Church, Seven Sisters Road, St Lawrence, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1XR
St Lawrence Old Church, on Seven Sisters Road in the village of St Lawrence, is one of the most remarkable small churches in England. Of very late 12th-century Norman origins, it served as the parish church of St Lawrence for nearly seven centuries. The church is a simple two-cell structure of considerable charm — a nave with a west bellcote and a chancel added in 1842 — and for many years held the distinction of being the smallest parish church in England. The bellcote houses a bell dated 1777, originally given by Sir Richard Worsley from Appuldurcombe Priory. Inside, the church retains its original pews, an early font, a decalogue board, 18th-century hat pegs, and a painted royal coat of arms on the west wall dated 1663 and repainted in 1926. The piscina niche is almost as old as the church itself. The building was restored by architect Percy Stone in 1926–1927 and has changed little since. It continues to be a place of worship, with a regular Evensong service held on the fourth Sunday of the month at 5.30pm. The church is Grade II* listed for its exceptional architectural and historic interest.
Timings
- Friday 11 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Saturday 12 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Sunday 13 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Monday 14 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Tuesday 15 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Wednesday 16 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Thursday 17 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Friday 18 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Saturday 19 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Sunday 20 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
Location & directions
St Lawrence Old Church, Seven Sisters Road, St Lawrence, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1XR
- Directions:
- From Ventnor head west on the Undercliff Road to St Lawrence, Seven Sisters Road is before the main church
- Contact on day:
- Rev'd Rob Marsh
- Telephone number:
- +447557536926
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Limited parking is available on nearby lanes, steps down to the church entrance.
Additional information
St Lawrence was once known as St Lawrence-under-Wath or Undercliff, reflecting its setting between the high inland cliff and the sea. The church may have originated as a private chapel associated with the de Aula family( linked to Yaverland & Brading) and the village grew slowly: in the mid-18th century it was still a very small settlement. Seven Sisters Road, formerly part of the old road or Up Shute, is traditionally said to take its name from seven elm trees planted in memory of seven daughters. Nearby local stories also connect the area with Wolverton Manor, old cottages around the church.
