History

Malew Church is one of the ancient parish churches of the Isle of Man, dating from the establishment of the parochial system in perhaps the twelfth century. The nave seems to contain surviving mediaeval fabric, notably the west gable, but much has been altered and rebuilt over the years.

The chancel dates from 1781 and the north transept (known nas the 'Wing') from 1783. The whole church was unfortunately re-roofed in 1929. Considerable damage was done to the building by inappropriate cement-rendering and other ill-treatment in the 1980's, which the Friends are now reversing.

The current arrangement of the interior dates from the fifty years after 1783, with relatively minor Victorian interventions.

Malew remains officially the parish church for the parish of that name (which includes Derbyhaven, Ballasalla, Grenaby, Ballamodha and St Mark's, but no longer Castletown). Since the early 1980's the Abbey Church in Ballasalla has increasingly become the focus of modern church activities. An Anglican congregation still uses Malew for prayer-book services on a weekly basis, however, and funerals are held there regularly as the churchyard is the only burial ground for Castletown and most of Malew.

The Friends have published a short guidebook to the church, written by Jonathan Kewley. A new up-to-date edition is now in the course of preparation and should be on sale in the church in May 2010.