Saint Mary's Church

About

St Mary's has been described as the finest Victorian building in Hampshire. It was designed just over 100 years ago by Arthur Blomfield and is said to have the finest Walker organ in England. Charles Dickens and Isambard Brunel were baptised in the previous church.

The Parish of St Mary consists of three Churches and a wide cross section of people of all ages and backgrounds.

They welcome people who wish to explore their faith with us through the various groups and discussions that take place here. They also enjoy meeting together in relaxed and informal occasions and at special events and celebrations. The great thing about the Parish is the variety of ways in which we come together and I look forward to meeting you at some of them!

Throughout its history the church has played an important role in the life of the island, especially for the local communities of Fratton, Landport and Buckland. The current church was built in the 1880s to a design by Arthur Blomfield. The church is a major landmark in the city and its tower can be clearly seen rising above the surrounding terraces.  It has witnessed hundreds of marriages over the years, as well as having touched many people's lives through its various mission churches, institutions, clubs, groups and choir. Many regard it as "their" church even though they have long moved out of the geographical parish.  In recent times the church has also developed as a place for concerts and is used regularly by the Portsmouth Choral Union, the Portsmouth Festival Choir and the Royal Marine School of Music. The building offers good acoustics, onsite parking for a large number of cars and seating for 600 people in one large open space.