Shirley Parish Church

Shirley Parish Church is an Anglican place of worship in the Shirley district of Southampton, featuring a square tower with crenellations and richly appointed interior spaces. The building displays a gothic screen behind the altar and bears religious inscriptions carved into its stone walls.

A medieval church at this location was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1085 and coexisted with the neighboring Millbrook parish for centuries. The present structure was built in 1836 following the union of the two parishes that had occurred in 1574.

The church serves as a gathering place for regular Anglican worship and community activities throughout the week. It functions as a spiritual center where local people come together for religious observances and social events.

The interior can accommodate about 600 visitors and includes modern facilities installed during a comprehensive renovation in 1994. That renovation replaced fixed wooden pews with more flexible seating arrangements to make the space adaptable for various uses.

Between 1840 and 1848, the church underwent expansion by adding balconies that significantly increased its seating capacity. A substantial portion of these new seats were designated as free, making worship more accessible to those with limited means.

Location: City of Southampton

Website: http://stjamesbythepark.org

GPS coordinates: 50.92675,-1.42825

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:21