St Martin's Parish Church, Guernsey facts for kids
St Martin's Parish Church, Guernsey, also called Saint Martin de la Bellouse, is an old church in the village of Saint Martin, Guernsey. It sits in a small dip in the land.
Quick facts for kids St Martin's Parish Church, Guernsey |
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St Martin's Parish Church, Guernsey
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 St Martin's Parish Church, Guernsey
Location in Channel Islands
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| 49°26′17″N 2°33′16″W / 49.43806°N 2.55444°W | |
| Country | Channel Islands |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Martin |
| Benefice | Guernsey |
| Deanery | Guernsey |
| Archdeaconry | Channel Islands |
| Diocese | Salisbury |
| Province | Canterbury |
People first mentioned a religious building here in 1048. The oldest parts of the church you see today were built around 1225. Another section, called an aisle, was added about 100 years later.
A special stone statue, called La Gran'mère du Chimquière, stands at the church's entrance gate. The current leader of the church is Reverend Daniel Foot.
Contents
History of St Martin's Church
The land where the church stands was once home to a very old tomb from the Stone Age. This tomb might have been connected to the statue known as La Gran'mère du Chimquière. This standing stone, called a menhir, is very old, dating back to 2500 to 1800 BC. It is shaped like a woman. Later, its head was re-carved in a Roman style.
Today, the statue stands at the main gate. It is a tradition for new brides to place flowers on her head for good luck. Nearby, there is also a healing spring called la Fontaine de la Bellouse.
How Christianity Came to Guernsey
Guernsey became Christian in the 500s AD. In 1048, William the Conqueror, who was the Duke of Normandy, gave St. Martin's to the Abbot of Marmoutier Abbey in France. This made it a parish church.
The church was officially made sacred on February 4, 1199. The connection to Marmoutier Abbey continued until 1415. At that time, King Henry V stopped money from being sent to France.
The church was part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Coutances in France for a long time. But in 1568, the churches in the Channel Islands, including St Martin's, became part of the Diocese of Winchester in England.
The Church Building
The oldest parts of the church are the nave (main area), the tower, and the chancel (area around the altar). These sections were built between 1225 and 1250. A northern aisle, which is like a side section, was added about 100 years later.
The porch, which is the covered entrance, was built around 1520. It has a sundial on it that dates back to 1751.
Inside the Church
The font, used for baptisms, is the oldest one on the island. It was made before the Reformation, a big change in the church. The pulpit, where sermons are given, was built in 1657. The church's organ was put in place in 1848.
The church has three bells. They weigh 448, 677, and 947 pounds. A French bell-maker named Jean Baptiste Brocard re-made them in 1736. This happened in Glategny, which is in Saint Peter Port.
A clock was added to the church in 1869 by Peter Le Page from St Peter Port. At that time, the bells were connected to the clock, and a special system was installed to make them chime.
Church Records
The church keeps records of important events. These include baptisms (when someone is welcomed into the church) and marriages. These records go all the way back to 1660. Records of burials (funerals) start from 1728. Today, these old records are kept safe at the Priaulx Library.
St Martin's Church in Media
In the year 2000, St Martin's Church was featured on a Christmas stamp. This stamp was issued by Guernsey Post. Artists have also painted the church. One famous artist who painted it was John Louis Petit.
See also
- List of churches, chapels and meeting halls in the Channel Islands
