Methodism in St. Aubin goes back to 1786 when Adam Clarke (later to be three times President of the Methodist Conference) walked across the sands from St. Helier to St. Aubin with Robert Carr Brackenbury who had been the “apostle of Methodism” in Jersey since 1783.
During his three years in the Channel Islands Adam Clarke spent considerable time at St. Aubin where there was fierce opposition to the Methodist cause. Opposition became more violent when Clarke persuaded Methodists not to do military training on Sundays. Members met in a shed in the yard of Les Vaux, the home of FranÇois Jeune (whose grandson became Dean of Jersey and Later Bishop of Peterborough). This meeting place was frequently attacked by the mob and attempts were even made to destroy the house.
Despite opposition the movement grew and in 1817 the first church seating 230 was built on the site of the present church hall. In 1847 the Trustees sold the church to the “English Methodist Society” and it became part of the English-speaking Wesleyan Circuit. In the 1930s the central rostrum was removed to reveal the aps.
The latest renovations completed in 1995 give expression to the congregation’s commitment to provide “open access”. Visual barriers have been removed so that the whole church is visible to the passer-by. The decor, carpet and furnishings compliment the colours in the strained glass window while the new side windows display symbols ancient and modern.
The ship within the shell is our own church logo.
