The community on Tristan da Cunha is Christian with two churches. St Mary's Church serves the Anglican congregation, while St Joseph's Church serves the Roman Catholic congregation. In round figures, about 80% of the population is Anglican, and 20% Catholic. The churches hold separate services for their respective congregations on Sundays and religious festivals, as well as conducting baptisms, weddings and funerals. However, they take it in turns to host certain joint celebrations and commemorations such as Remembrance Sunday. Visitors are welcome to join services at either church.
Current information on each church is given below. Please see also our separate page on the Religious History of Tristan da Cunha.
Anglican Church of St Mary the Virgin
St Mary's Church comes under the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town. The diocese endeavours to appoint resident priests to serve on the island as far as possible, but during vacancies and periods of absence, church services are led by local Lay Readers.
The current priest (2024) is Rev. Margaret Van Den Berg, who is assisted by Lay Reader Carlene Glass-Green.
Sunday services at St Mary's Church are held at 08:00am.
Exterior of St Mary's Church, Tristan da Cunha
Interior of St Mary's Church, Tristan da Cunha
Children receiving flowers in St Mary's Church to give to their mothers, grandmothers and aunts on Mothers' Day 2021.
St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church
St Joseph's Church comes under the Apostolic Prefecture of the Falkland Islands and Mission sui iuris to St. Helena, Tristan da Cunha and Ascension Island. There is no resident priest, but the Apostolic Administrator & Ecclesiastical Superior of the Mission visits his flock from time to time. Between visits, St Joseph's services are led by local Lay Ministers.
The current Lay Ministers are: Dereck Rogers, Anne Green, and James Glass.
Sunday services at St Joseph's Church are held at 09:00am.
Exterior of St Joseph's Church, Tristan da Cunha
Interior of St Joseph's Church, Tristan da Cunha
Women and children outside St Joseph's Church with James Glass, who led the Catholic 2021 Mother's Day Service.
Other Faiths
While Tristan da Cunha is a devout Christian island, the community has always welcomed expatriate workers and visitors of other faiths or none. However, Tristan regrets that it is unable to arrange special places of worship for them, other than what they can provide for themselves within their own accommodation. Any religious dietary requirements should be discussed with the Tourism Department and/or your hosts, if staying in island accommodation.