What We Do
St Ninian's Church is a modern group of communities where we value what is ancient as well as embracing what is new.
Here are the three main ways we explore and grow faith together, along with some of the things we do regularly together to grow faith and build community:
1. St Ninian's on Sunday mornings.
At 10.30am, every single Sunday morning, our core congregation meets in our main worship space. This group use the traditional forms of worship that have been handed on to us over the centuries through The Church of England - but always in an informal and accessible way. We enjoy the power and beauty of our space and are accompanied by the church's impressive organ as we sing old and modern hymns and songs, and there is time at the end of the service to enjoy refreshments and conversations together.
This congregation is led by our Vicar - Rev'd Steven Herron, and our Associate Pioneer Minister - Rev'd Alex Brown
2. Sunday at 10 (The Cat With No Tail pub)
We are linked in a working partnership with Sunday at 10 too.
At 10am, also every Sunday, another congregation meets at "The Cat" pub around the corner. This entirely separate congregation have been growing there for around 30 years and follow a more simple version of worship, enjoy singing together with more contemporary worship music, and appreciate the informality and flexibility of the pub environment. There is also time for refreshments and conversation at the end of this service.
Sunday at 10 is led by Chris Wildman.
3. Pioneer Church, Douglas
Pioneer church is around 5 years old and has multiple ways of exploring or deepening faith; from wild adventures in glens, through Saturday evening meetings in coffee shops, all the way to free-form evenings of modern worship songs, or mornings exploring faith through art. Some of these happen in the worship space at St Ninian's, whilst others happen out and about around our beautiful island.
All of these things involve refreshments. Have you spotted a theme?
Pioneer Church is led by Rev'd Alex Brown (also the St Ninian's Associate Pioneer Minister)
Morning Prayer: Tuesdays and Fridays at 9.30am
Everyone's welcome to join us on Tuesdays and Fridays for 30-45 mins of prayer. It's a safe, still place where we read through some of the Bible together, pray for the world around us, and grab a cuppa too. It's simple, grounding, powerful and precious time together. Come whenever you have the time - and as far as it's possible, every single Tuesday or Friday some of us will be in church praying.
Working Party: 10-12 every first Saturday of the month.
This is where the rubber hits the road! Keeping St Ninian's looking beautiful and functional doesn't just happen by chance! Join the group of working party heroes who bundle down to church on the first Saturday of each month. We clean, we vacuum, we garden, we sort, we laugh and if you can't do any of those things, feel free to randomly turn up with morale-boosting cake or biscuits and you'll be welcomed into the hero-fold immediately! Whatever your level of skill or energy, mobility or experience, the more the merrier.
10am - 12pm every first Saturday of the month.
CPAS - The Church Pastoral Aid Society
From the word go, St Ninian's was under the 'Patronage' of CPAS - a group of churches who share the same ethos when it comes to faith. CPAS have always emphasised the centrality of the Bible and a need for a personal encounter with God through Jesus. CPAS have 4 key goals:
1. Every church a pathway to faith;
2. Every leader a catalyst to making Jesus known (evangelism);
3. Every Christian a courageous 'witness' (able to share their personal story of faith);
4. Every child the chance to explore Jesus for themselves.
To see about the work of CPAS for yourself - hit this link, or the picture.
Coming Soon:
Here are some things we'd really, really love you to know about.
Harvest Lunch | Sunday 5th October, 12-2
We'd love to get loads of us together for a light lunch, and time to chat, pray and be inspired together as we celebrate the harvest this year. Anyone from our congregations is welcome, but please do let us know if you're coming, and any dietary requirements you might have, so that we can make enough delicious food. The meal will work on a donations basis, and there will be a bowl for proper money and the tapper-machine for cards and phone donations. Just give what you are able to, and come along.
24/7 Prayer Space
Pioneer Church will be opening our Upper Room space for an entire week to pray for our community and the world around us in October Half Term (25-31 October). This is an ecumenical week where people from any church (or none) can come at any time (7am-10pm) that week to pray. We will have times where people from the community are invited in, times of musical worship, times for morning or evening prayer, and more. Sign up for just one hour, for a few slots, or just come when you can.
For the youth, there will also hopefully be a sleep-over / pray-over one night in the week. For more information, here is the dedicated site with a sign-up system, but when it's open, you can come at any time and pray.
All Souls Service: 2nd November 2025
This is a quiet, contemplative, respectful service to remember those we have loved and are no longer with us. Grieving can last for years, so although this is a service to 'remember' those who have passed away this year, anyone can bring a name with them of someone that would like to remember, and we will endevour to include that soul in our service.
6pm on November 2nd.
Everyone is welcome.
Come and See Day
Saturday 8th November (10-4) sees the whole church building open to the public.
Come and see the facilities, enjoy some refreshments, and look around - including (weather dependent) a trip up our tower - usually closed to the public. Under 16's will need to be accompanied by an adult, and due to the design of the 1900's steps ... it's at your own risk. It's worth it though!
The idea is to meet our community, generate questions, get ideas from everyone about ways we can serve where we are, and for you to see around.
Alpha: An opportunity to explore the meaning of life!
Starting in January 2026, and going all the way to Easter, this course covers the basics of what it means to be a Christian today. It's based on video material, food, discussion and open questions from anyone on the course.
We're running this for free at The Bohemian Coffee House (opposite NEXT on Strand Street).
To look at all the details for this course and sign up, click here.
Mothers' Union
at St Ninian's
St Ninian's Mothers' Union is an active group who usually meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2.30pm and we'd love to see you!
The organisation today is made up of hundreds of individual Mothers' Union charities spread across 83 countries, making up four million members worldwide. Mothers' Union members work together to solve challenges in their local communities. By helping to restore and strengthen relationships in families and communities, the movement gives a sense of belonging and purpose.
Who's Who?
When you come to St. Ninian's Church for a function, a service, a party or just to look around - you'll probably find some of these people. Here are our titles and a little biog about us too.
Rev'd Steven Herron: Vicar
I grew up in Southport and, after working across Merseyside as a Paramedic and lecturer for almost 10 years, moved to the Isle of Man in 2016. I was ordained in 2020 and have enjoyed volunteering with many organisations over the years, having been a Scout Leader and volunteer with St John Ambulance for over 20 years.
I love the outdoors, music, hiking and kayaking, as well as playing tuba with Douglas Town Band. I'm married to Sarah and have 2 incredible daughters, all of whom constantly outwit me! I love a good curry and can never turn down a slice of lemon drizzle cake!
I now serve as part-time Vicar of St Ninian’s while also still working for the Isle of Man Ambulance Service as a part-time Paramedic. Clearly, I like to keep busy and I also run a small first aid training company, am a trustee of the Ellan Vannin Home, an advising member of the Patient Consultative Committee of Hospice Isle of Man and volunteer my time with the Cheshire and Isle of Man Army Cadet Force as well as being the island’s Scout Association Chaplain. Finally - I'm also a clinical team volunteer and educator with St John Ambulance Merseyside.
Rev'd Alex Brown: Associate Pioneer Minister
I also have two part-time jobs, but both of mine are with the Church of England. In my role at St. Ninian's I oversee ways we can engage people in new, innovative ways of doing and being church. In the rest of my time I run Pioneer Church, which does just that but with no building.
I moved here in 1997 and spent 20 years running a charity here which engaged in youth work, training young leaders, and leading churches across all denominations into missional thinking. I'm a Director of a local anti-addiction charity (Motiv8), and of Emmanuel Bible College (NW England), as well as being a dramatist and writer. I've got a beautiful wife, two amazing girls, two pets that I'm sadly allergic to, and with ADHD ... also way too many batteries!
Marilyn Payne: Church Warden
Marilyn's biographical info will appear here soon! Watch this space.
Paul Naylor: Church Warden
I have been on the Isle of Man for more than 60 years, now retired after a career of 40 years in the Financial Services Industry. Married to the amazing Annie for 30+ years with two adult boys. Have been a church warden at St Ninian's for several years.
An active member of our Open the Book team delivering dramatised bible stories to the 5 primary schools within our parish.
Have sung in a number of Island choirs over the years although now more involved in the brass band scene as Secretary and playing member of Douglas Town Band. I also play with Crosby and District Silver band.
Julian Power: Head of Church MUsic
We are so honoured to have Julian as our head of music. He has been the organist of St Ninian’s for over 45 years. He is a conductor of choirs and operatic societies, and was awarded British Empire Medal by the late Queen Elizabeth for services to Music.
Julian is a Master of Business Administration, Fellow of Chartered Management Institute and Hon Treasurer of St Ninian’s and other Island charities, as well as being a director of numerous international businesses including some licenced by Isle of Man Government’s Financial Services Authority.
David Sweet: Parish Safeguarding Officer
I came to the Island in Aug 1997 after spending many years a Deck Officer in the Merchant Navy to take up the role of a Personnel Officer for the Company I work at sea. I spent 18 years recruiting young people to complete a 3 year training programme to become the future Captains and Chief Engineers in the Merchant Navy. When I retired, I had 100 Trainees on the programme 25% were women.
Since retiring I have been involved with St John's Mill as General Manager and now Company Secretary.
I have been involved with Safeguarding since 2016.
Our Facilities
At St Ninian's we pride ourselves on keeping our facilities up to date, clean and usable. Here are some images of the space we look after for each other and potentially for you to use too!
