There is a growing and vibrant community of worshippers at Kirk Christ. It continues to serve the people of Rushen Parish as it has done for countless generations. It is particularly noted by local people for its peace and serenity. It is significant for many people as they have been either baptised or married (or both) at the church.
Sunday Services
Our Sunday services are Common Worship and begin at 9.30am and these are
1st Sunday Morning Prayer
2nd Sunday Holy Communion
3rd Sunday Morning Prayer
4th Sunday Joint Service
5th Sunday Holy Communion
After each service there is fellowship (over a cup of coffee) at the back of church
Click image to the left for information about Kirk Christ's organ [taken from a new book: Churches of Mann: Isle of Man Churches, Chapels and Keeills, published by Lily Publication, which includes a CD of the main church organs on the Island (featuring local organist Gareth Moore), and is available via the Culture Vannin Site]
History
The Parish Church, widely known as Kirk Christ, is actually dedicated to the Holy Trinity as indicated by a tablet above the main door that reads:
Dedicated to the Holy Trinity
Rushen Church, 1775.
There has been a church on the site since at least the 13th century, but in 1773 the church was described as tottering and ruinous, and so the building underwent extensive rebuilding with a new roof put on.
The roof was later replaced in 1935 and practically everyone engaged upon the re-roofing had been baptised in the church, and they took great pride in their work.
Clicking on the image to the left will give access to ashort paper on the history of Kirk Christ, Rushen written by Rev. Charles Leece, which was presented at the Church of England Men's Society in March 1911. Courtesy of the Manx Museum. (Re-typed to reduce filesize).
Clicking on the image to the left will give access to a detailed history of Rushen Parish written by Rev. John Duffield in 1935.
Clicking on the image to the left will give access to A Short History of Rushen Parish Church written by Mr J R Bruce in 1975.
Further history on the Parish of Rushen can be found in 'A history of the Manx Church 1698-1911' written by Canon John Gelling; a vicar of this parish from 1964 to 1977.
