St Lawrence Church Lavernock

"This little limestone church on the south Wales coast at Lavernock Point dates back to Medieval times and has an interesting link to the history of radio.

On 13th May 1897, Italian born Guglielmo Marconi and Post Office engineer George Kemp transmitted the first ever wireless signal across open water between Lavernock Point and Flat Holm island. You will see a plaque commemorating this historic event on the front wall of the churchyard.

The church was closed in 2002, following a decline in numbers attending services and a considerable repair bill. However, a substantial core of supporters were keen to see the church continue to be an asset to the community. A steering committee was formed to keep the building open for occasional services and celebratory festival events.

In 2009, a charitable trust - the St Lawrence at Lavernock Trust, also known as ‘SALt’ - was established to work towards the preservation and restoration of the building and SALt also became a limited company.

In 2015 the Representative Body of the Church in Wales granted SALt a licence to help secure the former church of St Lawrence a future as a community, cultural and heritage asset. Then, in 2020, the RB granted SALt a 99-year lease of the building.

The charity has six trustees and a group of enthusiastic volunteers. They are currently exploring ways of raising the profile of the charity in order to obtain sufficient funding to repair and maintain the fabric of the building. This will enable the former church to develop further into a community facility."

Jon Beard

"Beautiful unspoilt church at Lavernock Point with a plaque to commemorate Marconi's first radio transmission. Parking for a few cars on the lane."

Cymru Jon

"The simplicity of this southernmost church is simply divine. No need for electricity because the light is there and the warmth comes from the people's hearts - a single bell rope, an organ powered by footwork and some poetry readings which always gives warmth. Genuine faith and community with no rituals except tea from a flask with a Welsh cake and a chat. Pink Hydrangers grace the grounds and perhaps rhe waters are holy.
Open only for a few services each year."

Fran Smith