In the C19th, “Cregneash”:http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/man/churchesandcrosses/churches/churches_one/creagneash/index.html was an isolated hamlet at the end of the southern tip of the Isle of man. It was a long walk to the parish church of Kirk Christ near Ballafesson. Later, services were held in the parlour of Church Farm in Cregneash Village
Land with views overlooking the Sound, was given to the Diocese of Sodor and Man to build a church in Cregneash. The church still belongs to the Diocese and not to Manx National Trust, and services are still held regularly in the church.
The church was built by the villagers, using local stone. It is a small, simple building overlooking the Sound and Calf of Man. Initially only the chancel was consecrated so the nave could be used as a school, although this didn’t last very long.
The inside has plain white washed walls and a wood beamed ceiling, with mock gas lights hanging from it. At the back is the font. The chancel, reached up a small step, has a small table altar and wood panelling round the base of the walls.
Small stained glass insets in the nave windows have images of a Manx cottage, Cross, Bradda Head, fish, sheaves of wheat…
The cross outside the church was erected to celebrate the millennium.
The church is open daily during the summer months. The nearest post code is for Port St Mary which is IM9 6JA. The grid reference is SC 189673.
