COWES HERITAGE and
COMMUNITY GROUP
Registered Charity: 1192247
The principle Church of England church in Cowes, St Mary’s has a long history going back to 1657, during the Commonwealth, when somewhat unusually a small conformist chapel was built and consecrated.
Holy Trinity was built in 1832 sponsored Mrs Sarah Goodwin to provide her son-in-law, the Reverend Maximilian Geneste with a living.
Today the church is widely known as ‘The Yachtsman’s Church’ and maintains links with the Royal Yacht Squadron and other sailing clubs on the Island. The churchyard is home to the Fastnet Memorial, remembering the disastrous loss of life during the 1979 race..
Many memorial plaques honouring former members of the Royal Yacht Squadron can be seen in its interior.
There is a tale that Queen Victoria presented her wedding bouquet to the church and the Myrtle bush growing beside the west door originated from a cutting taken from one of her bridesmaid’s head wreaths. The church’s connection with Royalty continues to this day and HRH Prince Philip has been a regular visitor during Cowes Week, when services dedicated to seafarers are held.
The Catholic Church of Cowes was built in 1796/97 looking over Terminus Road.
Procession in Worsley Road Gurnard celebrating the Centenary of All Saints the village church built in 1892.
Methodist Sunday School join the village May Day Parade
This huge procession coming down Mill Hill is to witness the opening of the new Birmingham Road Methodist Church in 1904. Sadly this once active church has now closed its doors.
Young musicians are at the forefront of this 1974 photo of the Salvation Army Band
This striking building has been replaced by a possibly more functional building. in 2008.
The town’s principle church has many interesting feature; the west tower was designed by John Nash.
It is unusual in that it is one of the few churches consecrated during the Commonwealth (1657).
This Victorian card shows the Conformist Chapel on the left and the Non-conformist on the right. Today the Bell Tower has been replaced by a smaller tower.
Following the Friends of Northwood Cemetery success in securing a HLF grant both Chapels have been restored. The East (left hand) Chapel is used for funerals and concerts; the West (right hand) Chapel is a Heritage Recourse Centre.
Now demolished it was a little way along Worseley Road,
In Victoria Road at its junction with Moor Green Road this substancial building is still open.
The Rev. Willis with members of the Baptist Church Congregation on a day trip.
This unusually lit photo captures the ministers & congregation of the Methodist Church in St Mary’s Road, Built as a Methodist Church. Subsequently the building became the Empire Theatre and Cinema; today it is Spencer Rigging’s HQ.