St Bridget’s Church-Kirk Bride

Earlier Churches on this site date from around 1200. There is some belief that the original church was founded by St Brigid herself after she left Ireland in the 5th Centaury. An earlier keeill can be found in the churchyard under a weeping willow. Sir Norman Wisdom is buried here.

The present church, dedicated to St Bridget was consecrated in 1876 by Bishop Selwyn, the first Bishop of New Zealand. The architect was Ewan Christian and all the windows, donated by benefactors, are stained glass.  Most of the cost of building the Church was met by Miss Isabella Callister who also paid for the rectory. The organ was installed in 1882 and the tubular bells were added in 1897 in memory of the Rev. Kissack’s wife, Jane Kissack. There is a sundial over the entrance to the church and a clock higher up which was added in the 1960s. The Church houses some Viking crosses.

The first Manx bat, to be mentioned in any records, a brown long eared, was shot here in 1885. There are still bats at this and other churches on the Island.

The Church holds regular Church of England Services