Shanklin United Reformed Church

High Street, Shanklin, Isle of Wight. PO37 6LA
Registered Charity No. 1130459

A member of the Evangelical Alliance

For details of URC churches on the Island visit www.iowurc.co.uk

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The Building

The Exterior

LEFT: An external view of the church, looking up the High Street
 

The present building is the third to have been built on this site and was opened in 1883.  The land was acquired and the first chapel erected in 1841 on the edge of the old village, but the church is now right at the heart of the town.  The clock tower was damaged in the Second World War but was rebuilt and completed in 1954.

Visitors frequently comment that the church has a warm and welcoming feel to it.

The facilities were ageing and this fine 19^th Century building has been brought into the 21^st Century; making it more accessible, flexible and usable.

Clock Tower

After four years of being silent, the town clock has at last been refurbished.

This three month project started in April 2018 included tower stonework repairs and a new roof.

New electronics now control the clock and chimes, while the clock faces and hands were overhauled with new acrylic faces and lighting fitted.

We are grateful for the support of Shanklin Town Council in seeing that the clock is given a new lease of life.

All the work was completed by the end of July 2018

History Of The Church

You can read two items about the history.

• A booklet entitled "Glory To God In The High Street, Shanklin - A Brief Guide To The History Of Christianity In The Town And The United Reformed Church" by Keith Towers

• An extract from the Congregational Year Book of 1882.

The Interior

LEFT: An old view of the inside of the church, from the gallery. This was changed slightly in 2007 as the pulpit was removed and the stage extended.

Compare this with the view below showing the extended stage area.

BELOW: Two more views of the inside of the church, from the ground floor.

The church looks even better with people inside! (see below)

This has changed slightly with the installation of secondary double glazing

The 2010 Christmas nativity display that was inside the area where the church organ used to be
(before it was converted to a storage area)