Knowledge Centre
Jersey's Parishes
Introduction
Jersey is divided into 12 parishes: Grouville, St Brelade, St Clement, St Helier, St John, St Lawrence, St Martin, St Mary, St Ouen, St Peter, St Saviour and Trinity. They are an integral part of Jersey’s heritage and its society today.
Origin and growth of the parishes
The parishes date back to the 11th century, if not before, and probably originally evolved around a parish church and with boundaries reflecting natural features. The boundaries have subsequently changed little. It will be noted that each of the parishes has direct access to the sea, reflecting a clear intention, although in the case of St Saviour this is no more than a token.
The first substantive “census” in Jersey was the 1331 Extente, sometimes referred to as the Jersey Domesday Book. The Extente clearly shows that the parishes were firmly established. Jersey was organised by parish, ownership of particular bits of land were identified and each parish had named officers. The Extente also suggests the population of each of the parishes was in a fairly narrow range from about 500 to 1000. This may well reflect the initial intention of having administrative areas that were equally manageable in terms of population.
Over the years the distribution of the population between the parishes has changed markedly. St Helier is now by far the most populous parish while Trinity in particular has shown comparatively little population growth in the last 700 years.
Table 1 shows key population trends for the parishes.
Table 1 Population of Jersey by parishes, 1788-2021
It will be seen that the three southern parishes of St Helier, St Saviour and St Clement have been the most rapidly growing since 1788. By contrast, Trinity and St Ouen have grown only slowly.
The parishes today – area and population
Table 2 shows key statistics for the population in respect of area, population and land use.
Table 2 Parishes, key statistics
Population density is highest in the southern parishes, 3,716 people per square kilometre in St Helier, 2,262 in St Clement, 1,498 in St Saviour, 830 in St Brelade and 658 in Grouville. By contrast, the figures in the country parishes are significantly lower at 267 in Trinity, 277 in St Mary and 274 in St Ouen. Similarly, there are marked differences in land use between the parishes. Over half of land in St Helier comprises built environment, with St Clement and St Saviour also having relatively high proportions. By contrast, the country parishes have over 60% of land under cultivation and also the highest proportions of land in the form of natural environment (38% St Brelade, 23% in St Ouen and 21% in Trinity).
Organisation of the parishes
The role of the parishes with links to websites of the individual parishes is set out in a page on the Government website.
The parishes all have the same structure. Each parish is divided into a number of Vingtaines (Cueillettes in St Ouen).
The principal officer of the parish is the Constable, who by virtue of that office is also a member of the States Assembly. The Constables are elected at the General Elections, held every four years, the electorate being the same as for the other members of the States Assembly. Each parish has two Procureurs de Bien Public, elected at the parish assemblies, who act as public trustees. They maintain an oversight of parish finances and represent the parish in the care of parish property. Each parish also has a Roads Committee and Roads Inspectors.
For many centuries Jersey has had a parish-based honorary police system headed by the Constable. Officers are elected as Centeniers, Vingteniers and Constable's Officers, with various duties and responsibilities. Centeniers have the power to investigate a reported incident to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to justify a charge and if so whether the public interest requires a prosecution or whether the matter can be dealt with in some other way.
Each parish has a rector appointed by the Crown who is the head of the established church within the parish. The rector is supported by two surveillants (churchwardens) and two almoners.
The parish assembly is an integral part of the way the parishes operate. People registered as electors in public elections and ratepayers are entitled to attend assemblies. The parish assemblies elect the officers (other than the Constable), are responsible for the care of the roads and the promotion of local improvements, for setting rates and considering licencing applications. The Constable presides over the parish assembly for these purposes while the rector presides when ecclesiastical matters are dealt with.
Each parish has a parish hall in which the officers of the parish are based. In the country parishes each is at the centre of a village as is the parish church.
The Visite de Branchage and Visite Royale
The Visite de Branchage is a longstanding part of the parish system. Branchage literally means branches. The branchage law, which dates back to 1914, requires that any vegetation that overhangs roads or footpaths must be cut back, so that there is a clearance of 12 feet over roads and eight feet over footpaths, and that all trimmings are cleared. Twice a year, in the three weeks commencing 24 June and 1 September, the parish officers, led by the Constable, check that land occupiers have completed the branchage in accordance with the law. These inspections are called the Visites de Branchage.
Twice a year the Royal Court pays a visit to a parish to examine the parish’s accounts and to be taken on a tour of parish roads, during which it may be asked to rule on disputes such as encroachment of a tree on the public highway. The Visite Royal is known to date from when Jersey was part of the Duchy of Normandy.
The individual parishes
St Brelade
St Brelade is in the south west corner of the Island. It is one of the largest and most densely occupied parishes. It is also one of the most varied of the parishes including a port, tourist beaches – St Brelade’s Bay being the Island’s most popular beach, cliffs, the prominent archaeological site at La Cotte, the famous Corbière lighthouse, commons, part of the sand dunes and large residential areas. St Aubin is built around the port which was the centre of the cod fishing trade which flourished in the 18 th and 19th centuries. The parish hall is in St Aubin while the parish church is in St Brelade’s Bay. In the post-War period the area known as Red Houses has become a major residential area with substantial amounts of both private and social housing. The Railway Walk, as its name suggests on land that was previously a railway track, runs from St Aubin to Corbière.
St Peter
St Peter is in the west of the Island. It has only small coastlines, on both the west and south coasts, and includes part of the sand dunes. It is the home of Jersey Airport which occupies a significant part of the land area of the parish. The Airport dates back to 1937 and has been continually upgraded, the runway now extending to 1,700 metres. Also in the parish, and next to the Airport, is the ground of Jersey's rugby team. St Peter has a distinct centre including parish hall, parish church and shops.
St Ouen
St Ouen occupies the north west corner of the Island and includes most of St Ouen’s Bay, the longest bay in the Island, famous for its surf. The long sandy beach also hosted motor racing for many years. Running alongside the bay is a road colloquially known as the “Five Mile Road”, the longest straight road in Jersey and which has also been used for motor racing. St Ouen is the home of a number of significant historic buildings including La Rocco Tower in St Ouen’s Bay, the ruin of Gronez Castle, and St Ouen’s Manor, home for many years of the seigneurs of St Ouen, the de Carteret family. St Ouen’s Village, in the centre of the parish, includes the parish hall and the parish church.
St Mary
St Mary, on the north coast, is the second largest parish in terms of area and by far the smallest in terms of population, the home to just 1.8% of the Jersey population. It shares with St Ouen Grève de Lecq, a small but beautiful beach. A significant geographical feature is Devil’s Hole, a natural crater in a solid cliff measuring about 30 metres across and plunging 60 metres down. It has been caused by the sea gradually eroding the roof of what was once a cave, until it collapsed and formed a crater. The result is a blow hole as the incoming tide pushes air upwards. The parish is the home of La Mare Wine Estate, a 20 acre working estate well known for its wines and local produce including black butter. St Mary’s village, like the parish itself, is tiny.
St John
St John is a rural parish in the north of the Island with just two settlements, St John’s Village and Sion. Ronez Quarry on the coast has been the source of high-quality granite for many centuries. The cliffs at Frémont Point, Sorel Point and Ronez Point afford some of the best views in the Island. Bonne Nuit is a particularly attractive bay with a small harbour, which is the finishing point for the annual Sark to Jersey rowing race.
Trinity
Trinity on the north coast is one of the largest parishes in terms of area but has the second smallest population and the lowest population density, the population being spread throughout the parish. This is in marked contrast to 1788 when its population was second only to that of St Helier; of all the parishes it has changed least in the last few hundred years. The parish has the highest point in the Island, Les Platons, and Bouley Bay, reached by two steep hills, which for many years were the venue for a hill climb. Trinity is home to the Jersey Zoo and the world-renown Durrell Conservation Trust and also the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society Showground.
St Martin
St Martin occupies the north east corner of the Island and for many centuries was in effect the capital of Jersey. In recognition of this, construction of Mont Orgeuil Castle was commenced in the 14th century. The castle is the most distinctive built structure in Jersey, and is recognised as one of the finest medieval forts in the British Isles. The Castle overlooks Gorey Harbour, once the centre of the oyster fishing industry. North of Mont Orgeuil is St Catherine’s breakwater, another impressive structure, but in reality just one leg of a planned harbour that was never completed. Gorey Village has a number of hotels and restaurants; it and Maufant are the main residential areas. The parish hall and parish church are inland and in a rural part of the parish. The parish includes the Écréhous, a group of islands and rocks, 10 kilometres north east of Jersey.
Grouville
Grouville occupies the south east corner of the Island and includes the impressive Royal Bay of Grouville, which today is the centre of Jersey’s shellfish industry. Mont Orgeuil Castle, which is partly in the parish, overlooks the Bay. Alongside the Bay is the Royal Jersey Golf Club, a traditional links course with Fort Henry as an unusual feature. Inland is one the Jersey's most noted archaeological site at La Hougue Bie. The population of the parish is concentrated along the coast, while the parish church and parish hall are inland. The parish includes the Minquiers, a group of islands and rocks, about 15 kilometres south of Jersey. The largest of these is Maîtresse, which is about 50 metres by 20 metres and has about ten stone cottages in various states of repair.
St Clement
St Clement on the south east coast is the smallest parish in terms of area but one of the most densely occupied. It is very much a coastal parish, the population being concentrated on the coast. The parish hall is at Le Hocq, one of a number of bays in the parish, the others being La Rocque, Green Island and Greve D’Azette. The parish church is inland, on what is known as the “Inner Road”. Samarès Manor is one of the finest manor houses in the Island.
St Saviour
St Saviour is very much an inland parish. It does have a tiny part of the coast, at the Dicq. When the parishes were created many centuries ago the intention was that every parish would have direct access to the sea, but in the case of St Saviour this is no more than a token. The parish is residential in nature with a high density of occupation. The parish includes most of the Island’s secondary schools, Highlands College and Government House, the home of Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor.
St Helier
St Helier is the capital of Jersey and by far the commercial and residential centre of the Island. It is home to 35% of the population in just 7% of the land area. The land area has been increased in recent years through a reclamation scheme. The reclaimed land now houses a number of apartment blocks as well as the Jersey International Financial Centre, providing high quality offices. The parish also has two major historic buildings, Fort Regent, overlooking the town, and Elizabeth Castle, on an islet just off the harbour.
St Lawrence
St Lawrence is in the centre of the Island, with a relatively small part of the coast in St Aubin’s Bay. Jersey War Tunnels and Hamptonne Country Life are both in the parish. Over 700 years ago the fast-running streams resulting from north/south slope of the Island provided the power for water mills, which were essential to grind the corn. One of these mills, Quetevil, was in a part of St Lawrence, now called Waterworks Valley, as it is the home of Jersey Water, which is responsible for water supply in the Island. The valley includes Millbrook and Dannemarche reservoirs.
Jerripedia includes a section on the crests of the parishes –
The 12 Parish badges evolved to commemorate the Royal visit in 1921 of King George V and Queen Mary. The badges were designed by A G Wright, assisted by Norman Rybot, who redesigned them in 1923.
· St Helier: The two axes commemorate the beheading by Saxon Pirates in AD 555 of St Helier, Patron saint of Jersey.
· Grouville: Louis XI believed that the Kings ofHungary were descended from St Martin, born in Hungary. Their arms of eight bars of red and silver were placed on the saint’s shrine in the Cathedral ofTours. Grouville’s emblem shows the full eight bars, but St Martin has only seven.
· St Brelade: Legend has it that St Brelade prayed for land whilst searching for the Islands of the Blest. An island arose from the sea on which he celebrated Easter. As he departed so did the island. It was an enormous fish sent in answer to his prayers.
· St Clement: St Clement is the Patron Saint of blacksmiths and anchorsmiths. Legend has it that he was martyred by being attached to an anchor and thrown into the Black Sea.
· St John: The Maltese Cross is the emblem of theKnights of St John at Jerusalem (Knights Hospitallers). The stylised MalteseCross is set on a green background to recognise the old name for the Parish church, St John of the Oaks, though the church was dedicated to John the Baptist.
· St Lawrence: St Lawrence, Bishop of Rome, was martyred along with six deacons and Pope Sixtus II by being roasted alive on a gridiron. The saint is always depicted by being tied to or holding a gridiron.
· St Martin: St Martin of Tours is the Patron Saint of St Martin and Grouville, which is why their badges are similar. Both badges are based on the arms of the King of Hungary. It has seven bars to distinguish it from St Martin of Grouville.
· St Mary: The lily of the Annunciation of ‘Flwurde Lys’ has always been regarded as the special flower of the Virgin Mary.
· St Ouen: St Ouen, the Patron Saint of Normandy, founded a religious community on Jersey before the Viking invasions. He is said to have seen a miraculous cross, which told him to travel from Normandy toJersey.
· St Peter: The crossed keys of Heaven and Hell have always been the symbols of St Peter. The Parish church was dedicated to StPierre dans le Désert, recognised by the gold border to the crossed keys.
· St Saviour: The Parish church, St Sauveur deL’Épine, was dedicated to Jesus Christ. Hence, the crown and nails of the cruxifixion though ’Épine‘ means thorn and may suggest a relic of the crown of thorns.
· Trinity: The most curious of the Parish badges.The triangle obviously represents the Holy Trinity. God (deus) in the centre is(est) father (Parter), Son (Fillius) and Holy Ghost (Spiritus) whereas none of the members of the Trinity are of themselves (non est) God.
Further information
The websites Jerripedia and Wikipedia both have useful information on the history and nature of the parishes, although some of the information is a little dated.
