That Was Jersey |
Local history for everyone |
CHANNEL ISLANDS |
Island life is based on the parish system, with an Anglican church (or "Church of England") 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.
Methodism came to Jersey in 1783; a large number of people became Methodists, and many chapels were built to accommodate them. John Wesley himself visited the Island in 1787 and the first chapel built by the Methodists was in King Street in 1790. Methodism has remained a strong force in Jersey.
John Wesley kept journals throughout his life. We have John Wesley's diary for his visit to Jersey in 1787.
During the first half of the nineteenth century, there was a rapid rise in the number of non-conformist chapels, especially in St Helier as the town spread rapidly. Chapels were built, borrowed, changed hands and developed (or demolished), as can be seen from the following details.
| Chapel name and date | History | Illustration |
| St Ouen, 1809 and 1871 | The original chapel was replaced by a much larger chapel. However, with smaller congregations, the old chapel is back in use again now. | |
| Six Rues, St Lawrence, 1811 and 1861 | The "new" chapel has been sold. | |
| St Mary, 1815 and 1829 | Bethlehem chapel in St Mary. | |
| St Aubin, 1817 and 1868 | The chapel is in a prominent position on the Bulwarks by the harbour. The school room is just behind the chapel. | |
| St Martin, 1820 and 1851 | These chapel buildings are on the edge of the village and are well used. | |
| Les Frères, St John, 1821 | A later chapel was added in 1912, and the building is now used by the Boys Brigade. | |
| Philadelphie, St Peter, 1825 | The chapel is located just north of the village centre. | |
| Tabor, St Brelade, 1825 | Tabor Chapel was replaced by Communicare built at Les Quennevais. Their chapel now forms part of the local Jewish synagogue. The name has been reused several times in the area. |
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| Great Union Road, St Helier, 1825 | Built for the Bible Christians group of Methodists, the congregation amalgamated with Aquila Road in 1960. The Great Union Road chapel and hall were demolished in about 2000. | |
| Bethel, St Clement, 1826 | Located in Le Hocq Lane, this building is now used by the Girls Brigade. | |
| Ebenezer, Trinity, 1826 | The new building dates from 1881, and it stands in the road that bears its name. | |
| Sion, St John, 1827 | The new and much enlarged chapel dates from 1881. | |
| Wesley, St Helier, 1827 | A new chapel was built in Wesley Street in 1876, which is now used as commercial premises. The congregation joined with Grove Place to become Wesley Grove. | |
Salem, Gorey village, 1832 | This was a French speaking congregation, in Daisy Hill. The church was closed in 1921. The building has had varied uses since then, but is now boarded up. | |
| Galaad, St Lawrence, 1832 | The building, recently sold, still has its stable for the preacher's horse! The congregation joined with First Tower, which was renamed The Bay. | |
| Eden, St Saviour, 1832 | Located in between Five Oaks and Maufant, Eden is still in use today. | |
| Les Augrès, Trinity, 1833 | This chapel in the south of Trinity was sold. | |
| La Rocque, Grouville, 1838 | A new chapel was built in 1897. This photo shows the roadside façade. | |
| Aquila Road, St Helier, 1839 | This was a chapel built by the Primitive Methodist group. In 1960 they welcomed the congregation from Great Union Road to join them. The building is now used as a youth and community centre. | |
| Gorey, 1840 | This was the home of the English speaking Methodists in Gorey village. | |
| Carmel, St Martin, 1844 | The chapel was sold and is no longer in existence, although its name lives on. | |
| Grove Place, St Helier, 1847 | This chapel was known as Wesley Grove until the new millennium saw the name change to the St Helier Methodist Centre in 2000. It is the largest chapel in current use. | |
| First Tower, St Helier, 1847 | Linking the inner road with Victoria Avenue at First Tower, this chapel has been renamed The Bay, following its merger with Galaad. It is seen here from the Avenue. | |
| Gorey, 1864 | Originally built for the Bible Christians group of Methodists, this chapel was in use by them from 1864-1916. Since then it has been used as a cinema, and for badminton, and it is now the home of the Catholic church in Gorey village. | |
| Bethesda, St Peter, 1868 | Bethesda is located near the dam of the Val de la Mar reservoir, serving the western part of the parish. | |
| Beaumont, St Peter, 1868 | This chapel served the Bible Christian group of Methodists, and was sold in 1883 to a Baptist church which still meets there. | |
| Seaton Place, St Helier, 1868 | This was a smaller town chapel, later used for youth work and now awaiting a new owner and new purpose. | |
| Royal Crescent, St Helier, 1869 | This was a Bible Christians group chapel. The congregation joined with Georgetown. The chapel replaced a theatre which had burnt down, and the site is now occupied by a temporary car park. | |
| Georgetown, St Saviour, 1873 | As town spread and the population increased, this chapel was formed on the southeastern outskirts. | |
| Samarès, St Clement, 1903 | This was built as a Wesleyan mission hall, and is the most southerly chapel in the British Isles. | |
The situation in Gorey village was complicated by the influx of workers for the Oyster fishing. This necessitated both English and French speaking congregations. Added to this, there were other flavours of Methodism, which resulted in three Methodist chapels in the village. Salem (built for the French speakers) is in a poor state of repair, and is on the market for sale. The present Catholic chapel in the village was built as a Methodist chapel. The current Methodist chapel in the village was also built by the Methodists for the English speakers.