The Deanery in St Helier
That Was Jersey |
Local history for everyone |
CHANNEL ISLANDS |
Island life is based on the parish system, with an Anglican church with its Rector at the heart of each parish. For centuries the rectors were part of the States Assembly, representing their parish, until in 1948 new laws changed the constitution of the States, and deputies were elected to represent the parishes.
The Dean has responsibilities across the Island in support of the Anglican clergy. He is also Rector of the Town Church. He has the right to speak in the States, but not to vote. He lives, and works from, the Deanery in St Helier.
In addition to the parish church at the centre of parish life, the town of St Helier needed more than one church to care for its inhabitants. The Town Church (as the parish church of St Helier is known) is essentially a fourteenth century building, with various additions and restorations over the successive centuries. During the nineteenth century the town grew, with new streets and whole new residential districts. In addition to the Town Church, other Anglican churches were gradually added.
St James was built on the east side of town. The Garrison at Fort Regent regularly attended Church Parade here, and the Regimental Band would often play after the service. The church has now become a venue for arts events.
All Saints was built on the site of the Strangers Cemetery; it was established to serve the growing population of the west end of the town. It began as a "chapel of ease" attached to the Town Church.
The new church for the north part of the town was St Mark's. However, there were problems with the design for this church. As the walls went up, so they became increasingly unstable; unfortunately they then had to be demolished. A modified design was used for the building that stands today.
Towards the southern end of New Street stands St Paul's church. The present building is the New Church; it replaced an earlier one on the same site, which had been built in 1815. This area was at the heart of the development of the town in the early nineteenth century.
A major episode in Jersey’s church history relates to the period of the Reformation. Many of the parish churches went through a period of change, as the richer ornaments and furnishings gave way to a simpler style, and the services took on a more Calvinistic form. The parish church of Trinity retains this simpler interior. The island also gave refuge to French Huguenots fleeing persecution.
There are illustrations of each parish church on the relevant parish page. Choose from the links on the right.