Parish location map
That Was Jersey |
Local history for everyone |
CHANNEL ISLANDS |
Population (2001 census) 1,591
Area (in vergees) 3,653
St Mary is the smallest parish in terms of population, although its area is larger than St Clement. It is a rural farming community and there are vineyards in the parish. The Elms is a good example of Jersey architecture and houses the headquarters of the National Trust for Jersey. The parish also enjoys a section of the North Coast path, with excellent views across to the other Channel Islands.
St Mary's village parish buildings are divided between two parallel roads. In the lower part of this picture can be seen the parish school and parish hall. The church is at the top, with the main road running left to right across the top of the picture. The Rectory is located between the two roads, set back from the main road, and with a distinctive oval grass area in front, leading to the church. The village inn is diagonally over the road from the church, and its car park can also be seen in this aerial view. Even at the heart of the village are fields rather than houses.
The lily has long been associated with the Virgin Mary, and this design gives it in silver on a blue shield. The church is actually dedicated to St Mary of the Burnt Monastery, although it is unclear why.
Here the brown tourist signpost shows the parish emblem.
St Mary's church is referred to in some old documents as St Mary of the Burnt Monastery.
St Mary is one of the three western parishes to ring the church bell right through Christmas Day. These parishes were the last to come under the French occupation of Jersey in the 15th century.
The earliest part of St Mary's church dates from the 13th century, with various later additions. Some of the stained glass work was installed in the 20th century.
The Parish Hall is situated behind the school. It has the appearance of a typical Jersey house, perhaps appropriate for the administration of a small rural parish.
The Cross can be found near Grève de Lecq Barracks.
The Stone is just behind Devil's Hole, at the beginning of one of the paths above the Mourier valley.