Methodism

Methodism arrived in Jersey via Newfoundland and the cod fishing industry. Lawrence Coughlan, a young missionary converted two young Jerseymen, Pierre Le Sueur and Jean Tentin, who returned to form the “Methodist Society” in 1774.

By the time of the Methodist Conference in Manchester in 1787, when John Wesley resolved to visit these far flung outposts in the Channel Islands, there were some 200 members. His legacy thrives in Jersey; some 29 chapels were built of which 18 are still in use today.

A day retracing Wesley’s travels round Jersey could include:

A trip to Le Marais farm out in the country “through pleasant shady lanes. None at the House could speak English, but I had interpreters enough.” Wesley preached in English and his sermon was translated into French. Then a visit to Hamptonne, Jersey's Country Life Museum, where there will be a chance to sample traditional Jersey dishes – such as bean croque, Jersey wonders or bordelots – and see how a Jersey farm might have looked when Wesley was here.

Wesley preached in the long room above the old corn market in the central square of St. Helier, the Island’s capital. Now the United Club, the room where Wesley preached looks out over Royal Square, witness to so many important events in Jersey’s long history.

La Hougue Bie. It was more than 200 years ago, recording his visit to Jersey, that John Wesley described his visit to this fascinating site. Many things have changed in the world since then, but La Hougue Bie remains very much the same as when he saw it in 1787. But modern archaeology has increased our understanding of such sites and we know that La Hougue Bie is one of the most important Neolithic monuments in North West Europe. It is now run as a museum of archaeology and geology by the Jersey Museums Service.

Extract from John Wesley’s Journal:

“….not far from it stands, on top of a high hill. (I suppose a Roman mound) an old chapel, believed to be the first Christian church in the Island. From here we had a view of the whole Island, the pleasantest I ever saw....”

In 1781, only six years before Wesley’s visit, an invading French force had been defeated in that very Square overlooked by the room from which he preached. Much more recently, in May 1945, the crowds gathered to hear Churchill announce that Jersey’s five years of occupation by the Germans were over – “and our dear Channel Islands are to be freed today”. Read more about the Liberation of Jersey.

Not part of England nor even part of France. The French Connection is a strong theme in Jersey history but the Wesleyan Community in Jersey is very much part of the English tradition – no language problems here. Wesley’s heritage is very much alive in Jersey. You can visit some of the many chapels where you will be welcomed and offered fellowship by the Jersey Methodist Community.

“The little hills, almost covered with large trees are inexpressibly beautiful…...I could not regret being detained by contrary winds longer than we intended.” (From Wesley’s Journal.)