Isle of Wight Pastoral Area Catholic Communities on the Island

History

The Catholic history of the Island is unusual and this is reflected in our church architecture.

St Thomas of Canterbury, Newport

 

The Acts of Catholic Emancipation in 1791 and 1792 allowed Catholics in England build their own places of worship, but they were still required to keep a low profile.

 

When this Relief Act was passed, Mrs. Heneage and her chaplain, Mr. Simon Lucas, were able to put into operation the building of a church in Newport on Land that Mrs. Heneage had acquired in Pyle Street.

 

St. Thomas of Canterbury Church was influenced in two ways, by the religious bias of the day, (it would have had to be built as a meeting-house or "preaching box", not to cause offence, an to be built in the fashion of the period. See the history page on the St Thomas' site for more information.

St Mary's, Ryde

 

St Mary's, Ryde is one of the finest early Victorian Catholic churches in the south of England and one of the oldest in the Portsmouth Diocese. It was designed by Joseph Aloysius Hansom (of Hansom cab fame), and built by Thomas Dashwood of Ryde, who also built Holy Trinity Church in Dover Street. St. Mary's is one of the Foundation Churches of the Diocese; at one time being used as the Pro-Cathedral before St. John's at Portsmouth was completed. In fact the first ordination for the Diocese, that of Fr. Pierce William Greene, took place at St. Mary's on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, 29th June, 1883. See the history page on the St Mary's site for more information. Tours are available.

 

St Saviour's, Totland Bay

Built in 1923, a brick and tile structure with decorative brickwork.

Quarr Abbey

Quarr Abbey has a history which goes back to medieval times. For information about the building, go to the Quarr Abbey website and follow the About link then Abbey Building. Tours are available.