St Olaf's Church, Wasdale facts for kids
St Olaf's Church is a very small church located in Wasdale Head, Cumbria, England. It is known for being the smallest parish church in England. Records show there has been a church on this spot since at least 1550, but it might have been there even earlier.
History of St Olaf's Church
The church was officially named after Saint Olaf in 1977. Before this, it didn't have a specific name. The local priest at the time, Reverend Raymond Bowers, had friends in Norway. He suggested naming the church after Saint Olaf, a famous Norwegian king and saint. You can find a guide about the church and the Wasdale valley, called The Vikings: Wasdale Head and Their Church, at the Barn Door Shop in Wasdale Head.
This church has a special connection with British climbers. Inside, the south window has a small etched picture of Napes Needle, a famous rock climbing spot on Great Gable mountain. Every year on Remembrance Sunday, people gather at 11 AM for a quiet moment of remembrance.
St Olaf's Church is considered an important historic building. It is listed as a Grade II listed building on the National Heritage List for England. This means it's protected because of its special history and architecture. The church is part of the larger area covered by the Diocese of Carlisle. It is one of three churches in the Parish of Gosforth & Wasdale. The other two are St Mary's Church, Gosforth and St Michael & All Angels in Nether Wasdale.
Visiting St Olaf's Church
St Olaf's Church is usually open every day for visitors. Many thousands of people from all over the world come to see it each year. For example, in 2019, about 12,500 visitors from 43 different countries and seven continents (all except Antarctica!) came to the church.
Inside the church, you can find a Visitors Book to sign. There is also a Prayer Book near the front where you can write down prayer requests. Ministers read these requests regularly and pray for the people and situations mentioned. These prayers are often included in the next church service.
Church services usually happen at 11:30 AM on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. On the first and third Sundays, services are held at Nether Wasdale Church, which is at the other end of the lake. In 2020, public services were stopped because of the COVID-19 pandemic. All three churches in the parish were closed until it was safe to reopen.
See also
- Listed buildings in Wasdale
