Welcome

Welcome to Wasdale Head and England’s smallest parish church. Wasdale Head is the birthplace of English rock climbing and many of England’s finest fells are in the parish – among them Great Gable, Pillar, Steeple, Red Pike, and the highest – Scafell Pike, so is its deepest lake, Wastwater, and they jointly create a montage that was chosen as ‘Britain’s favourite view’ – see below!

Amongst these wonders of God’s creation sits the little church of St Olaf’s – the parish church of Wasdale Head. The site has been the base of the Christian Community here for over 1000 years – though the present sturdy little stone building only dates from circa 1525, replacing an earlier wooden church (or perhaps churches – as it is unlikely that a wooden building would have lasted over 500 years). St Olaf’s can quite accurately be described as a little stable, with pews, ancient beams and a flagstone floor – a perfect place to worship God. There’s an image of the interior below.

The church is OPEN daily from approximately 8am till shortly before dusk.

SERVICES – We hold services in St Olaf’s at 11am on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month throughout the year, and on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. In July our services are on Sunday 10th July at 11am – Celtic Praise, and Sunday 24th July at 11am – Patronal Festival, when we celebrate our Patronal Saint, St Olaf’s. (St Olaf ‘s Day is on 29th July)

On the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month there are services at Nether Wasdale Church at 9.30am. Nether Wasdale is at the other end of the Lake, and its fine little church is in the centre of the village – well worth a visit.

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