About St Simon's Church
Although just a few minutes from the bustle of Albert Road Southsea and surprisingly close to The King's Theatre, the Church resides in a peaceful backwater of the town.
Plans to build the Church were drawn up in 1860, to coincide with the sudden development of Southsea, which until that time had been little more than marsh and wasteland outside of the city of Portsmouth.
It is recorded that the Church was hit by a hurricane during construction and in June 1866 it was rebuilt at a cost of £4,500.
Travel directions
Arriving by train
The nearest station is Fratton. From here, either make a taxi ride or walk south down Fawcett Road, becoming Lawrence Road, and then into Waverley Road - the Church is on your left. The journey home after a concert is best made by taxi.
Arriving by bus
Buses stop in Albert Road, a three minute walk from the Church.
Arriving by car
At the top of Portsmouth, take the M275 south onto Portsea Island.
The motorway goes over a flyover and terminates at a congested roundabout. Here you need to turn left into Church Street and follow the road as it immediately veers right and heads South East.
At another roundabout, go straight across onto Holbrook Road and what is now signed the A 2030.
Cross another small roundabout. At the next, very large roundabout, Fratton station is signed left, and Portsmouth is signed right. Go straight across into Victoria Road South (B2151).
Shortly after traffic lights, bear left into Albert Road (B2154) and after 400m, turn right at the lights into Waverley Road.
Map
Click for a street map that you can print.
Accessibility
The Church has level access for Wheelchairs.
There are toilets in the Church centre, at the entrance to the Church
As with many of our Church Concerts, people have been known to bring a small cushion for the pews!
hago events at St Simon's Church
- June 2007 - raising funds for the Street Pastors scheme.
St Simon's Church in the mid-day sun in March
The Church interior