Shrine of Our Lady of Yankalilla

A pilgrimage church

Christ Church Yankalilla is a small 19th-century stone Anglican parish church on the main road through Yankalilla. In August 1994, an image was seen on the rendered wall behind the altar that was interpreted as the Virgin Mary - first as her face and shoulders, later (it was claimed) as a pieta showing Mary holding the crucified Christ. The image has remained visible ever since.

Officially recognised

In December 1996, the Bishop of The Murray formally blessed the church as 'The Shrine of Our Lady of Yankalilla'. It is one of only two Marian shrines in the worldwide Anglican Communion based on what believers consider an actual Marian event - the other is the much older Walsingham shrine in England - and is thought to be the world's newest shrine to the Mother of God.

Visiting

The church is open daily and free to enter. Whatever you make of the image, the church itself is a beautiful and atmospheric piece of country Anglican architecture, and the small adjoining garden and rosary path are quiet and worth walking. Information cards inside tell the story of the apparition.