The University maintains its own multi-faith room in the Spark building. The Spirituality and Reflection service offers confidential support in both personal and spiritual matters, and can help those who are new to the area find a like-minded religious community.
People of many different cultures, races and religions call Southampton home, so the city centre has a wide selection of places to worship. Here you should get a good idea of what facilities are available, although the list is by no means meant to be exhaustive.
Sikhism
Many Sikhs settled in Southampton during the 1950s and 1960s, and Southampton is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Sikh communities in the UK. The annual Vaisakhi parade attracts thousands of people to the city, and countless local residents join in with the celebrations.
Below are some of the Gurudwaras that can be found within close proximity of the Solent University campus.
Gurudwara Nanaksar
This large and friendly Gurudwara can be found near Rockstone Lane, a popular area for student accommodation which is only ten minutes away from the University campus. It is open 24 hours a day and all visitors are welcome.
Gurudwara Tegh Bhadar Sahib
This Gurudwara is even closer to the city centre and offers regular services, classes and workshops for people of all ages. Gurudwara Tegh Bhadar Sahib’s popular language classes are perfect for those who want to improve their Punjabi.
Singh Sabha Gurudwara
Singh Sabha Gurudwara is a popular place of worship that has been open since the late 1960s. Located inside a repurposed Grade 2 listed church building, this Gurudwara runs various classes and is highly active within the local community.
Christianity
Those who are looking to join a local Christian community have a number of options available to them, no matter what their preferred style of worship. Many of the churches listed below hold special student events and services, so meeting new people will be easy.
Avenue St Andrews
This centrally located church has around 140 members, of which 70 regularly attend morning services. Avenue St Andrew’s is part of the South West Hants Group of United Reformed Churches, which gives members a chance to meet congregations from all over the local area.
Central Baptist Church
Central Baptist Church is a Christian Ministry located in the Polygon, an area popular with students. The church runs two services each Sunday as well as youth group meetings, Bible study classes and fellowship lunches.
Elim Christian Centre
Elim Christian Centre is a part of the Elim Pentecostal Church, a movement that currently has churches in over 40 countries around the world. Visitors can expect regular Sunday services, as well as coffee mornings, film nights and other community events.
Portswood Church
Portswood Church is home to a large congregation of over 200 Christians from all different walks of life. This church arranges regular student lunches and links students with local Christian households – a fantastic chance to make new friends.
St Edmund's
This large Roman Catholic church is the heart of Southampton’s diverse Catholic community. This is also one of the few churches in Southampton that gives services in Polish, a great chance for Polish students to meet like-minded compatriots.
St Mark's
St Mark’s is a Church of England church located just outside the city centre. It offers regular services and a variety of social clubs to the local community. This congregation is also involved with overseas mission work.
St Mary's Church
St Mary's is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Southampton and is also where Southampton FC gets its nickname 'the Saints' from. Services at St Mary's are designed to be reverential, evangelical and accessible to everyone.
St Michael's Church
St Michael’s is a steepled church in the Mayflower Park area of Southampton. The Catholic services are said to be reverent, but with a light and modern twist. Interestingly, this is the oldest building in Southampton that’s still in use.
St Nicholas
St Nicholas is a Greek Orthodox Church located just a few minutes outside of the city centre. Originally founded in 1964, this church delivers traditional Greek Orthodox services in Greek and, less frequently, English.
Islam
Southampton is home to a community of over 10,000 Muslims, many of whom worship in mosques near the city centre. Organisations like the Muslim Council of Southampton and the Southampton Council of Faiths run numerous events throughout the year, giving those who are new to the area a chance to get involved and meet members of the local community.
Bashir Ahmed Masjid
Bashir Ahmed Masjid is a large and friendly mosque in the centre of Portswood, a popular area for student accommodation. Regular events are held here including visits from guest speakers and daily classes.
Masjid Ar Rahmah
Masjid Ar Rahmah can be found behind the University campus in the Northam area of Southampton. This Mosque doesn't have a website, but uses Facebook to keep in touch with the community - take a look at their profile using the link below.
Shahjalal Mosque
This mosque, located in St Mary’s, is run by the Bangladeshi Muslim community and was started by community leaders in the mid-1990s.
Southampton Medina Mosque
Southampton Medina Mosque, which opened its doors for the first time in 2001, was the first purpose-built mosque to be constructed in the South of England. Funded entirely by donations from the local community, Medina Mosque is now one of the most recognisable religious buildings in Southampton.
Other faiths
Southampton is home to thriving Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu communities. If you need help reaching out to a community, or would simply like more information about what groups and facilities are available in Southampton, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Vedic Society Hindu Temple
The Vedic Society Hindu Temple is a purpose built facility that has been serving Southampton’s Hindu community for over 25 years. The Vedic Society Temple welcomes Hindus from all schools of thought and regularly hosts events for the wider Southampton community.
Thekchen Kadampa Buddhist Centre
This Buddhist centre provides a peaceful environment that anyone who wishes to learn more about modern Buddhism and meditation is welcome to visit. Study programs are available to help anyone from complete beginners to experienced practitioners enhance their understanding of Buddhism.
Southampton Hebrew Congregation
This small and friendly congregation has no permanent rabbi, but is supported by community leaders from all over South Hampshire. Services aren’t held every Shabbat, so call ahead to find out what is scheduled.
