Ramsey had become a maritime community from around 1600 - the parish church of Kirk Maughold was at a considerable and awkward journey and thus one of the disused keeills was restored to act as Chapel of Ease. In 1640 Bishop Parr swore in two churchwardens and, it is thought, dedicated the chapel to St. Catherine. A large scale restoration followed in 1706 but by the 1740's the chapel was again ruinous and was rebuilt in 1746 with Bishop Wilson taking a great personal interest.
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Following the building of the much more conveniently positioned St. Pauls the chapel was once again allowed to fall into ruin, such that funerals had to be conducted outdoors, until it was virtually rebuilt in 1851 due to the efforts of the Rev W. Kermode (father of P.M.C.Kermode). This is the building seen today. The building was allowed to fall into disrepair from the 1980's and subjected to increasing attacks of vandalism by the local youth - it was deconsecrated and sold into private ownership some years ago. |
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Grid Reference SC455937 |
The adjacent field was acquired in 1913 and trees planted to give
today's sylvan surroundings.
It would appear that Ballure graveyard was treated as 'the potter's field' being suitable for the burial
of strangers whilst long established families interred their dead in their older Parish Churches.
St Mary's
Ballure 1995
Constance Radcliffe Ramsey 1600-1800 1986
M.W. Harrison Ballure
Church Proc IoMNH&ASoc vol 2 #4 pp453/9
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The new church for the growing town of Ramsey was consecrated in 1822, soon however the original flat ceilinged plain oblong church was found to be too small. A west gallery was erected in 1830, mainly for musicians and the two side wings with galleries in 1844. A new vestry was built 1874 allowing the old vestry to be incorporated into the Sanctuary. The present porch, replacing a smaller one, was added in 1938. The surroundings changed considerably in the 1960's with the wholescale demolition of nearby buildings |
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Grid Reference SC454943 |
W and C
Radcliffe St Paul's South Ramsey 1972
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Ramsey continued to grow north of the river, into Lezayre, making St.Pauls less convenient and thus an additional chapel of ease, Taggart's Barn, serving as school and chapel was opened in 1849. The building of the current church was started in 1861, completed and licensed in 1862, and consecrated 1881. Built in Early English Decorated style using local stone plus red Whitehaven sandstone to a design by Michael Manning of London |
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Grid Reference SC446952 |
W.H.Lomas Saint Olave's Church Ramsey 1881-1981
1981 :Parish
R.D.Kermode Annals of Kirk Christ Lezayre Chap 15 1954
Constance Radcliffe Shining by the Sea A History of Ramsey 1800-1914
1989
M.W.Harrison South Ramsey and its
Churches 1923
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Any comments, errors or omissions
gratefully received The
Editor |
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