For our June meeting members of the Section were invited on a walk exploring the origins of Methodism in Jersey with Jean Treleven.
Commencing at Pier Road overlooking St. Aubin’s bay Jean explained the international routes of the movement in Jersey. During the 18th and 19th century Jersey was something of seafaring nation deeply intertwined with the trading networks of the British Empire, Jerseymen travelled widely not least through the cod trade to Newfoundland. It was here in 1774 that Pierre le Sueur and Jean Tentin found the new movement, and so moved were they that on their return to Jersey they introduced it to the island.
We then walked on towards the Royal Square, with a brief stop opposite the Town Church to provide more background on the religion in Jersey, which had at that time been fully aligned with the Anglican Church in England, a departure from the more radical forms of Protestantism introduced by French preachers in the 16th and 17th centuries.
As we rounded the Cock and Bottle some in the party may have been tempted by the availability of cold refreshment, but alas they were swayed and instilled with a Methodist perspective from Alexander Kilham in 1784:
“It is truly distressing to see how they live and how corrupt they are. Truly they live without God and without hope in the world. Strong drink is sold so cheap that they are slaves to drunkenness”
With such temptations now thoroughly dispelled the party continued on. Overlooking the old Corn Market, Jean continued with the story of John Wesley’s 10 day visit to Jersey in 1787. Wesley preached on multiple occasions often through a translator in St. Helier and also in the countryside. In Jersey it seems his movement could establish firm roots and there were a great number of people well inclined to his words. Not least the upwardly mobile and outward looking middle class of the time, who would go on to establish many businesses such as the Join Stock Bank.
We then moved through King Street where Jean pointed out the site of one of the first Methodist chapels, until we reached the site of the Old Prison at Charing Cross. Unfortunately for the Methodists the authorities in Jersey at the time were not so well disposed to their movement. They were initially forbidden by law from purchasing the site of their first chapel, then with Militia practice occurring on a Sunday there was conflict between Methodist beliefs and the Government, and a number of adherents found themselves imprisoned only to be saved by petition to the King.
Concluding in Broad Street, Jean provided us some closing remarks. There were at one time around forty Methodist chapels on island, however much like with other faiths there has been a steep decline in attendance over the past century. The story of Methodism is one which shows much about the culture of the island in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is also somewhat amazing that the founder of a global Christian denomination had once preached here, serving as yet another example of the international flair which is so often present in our local history.
The Section would like to thank Jean for volunteering to guide us on the walk, and wish her the best of luck in her ongoing research activities (which I am sure we will be hearing more of in our monthly meetings).
Oliver Thébault, MA
Secretary – History Section
