The Vale Church, Guernsey facts for kids
St. Michel du Valle is an old and important church in Vale, Guernsey. It's known for its long history, going back more than a thousand years! This church has seen many changes and played a big part in the lives of people on the island. It's a special landmark, especially for sailors, because you can see it from many places in the north of Guernsey.
Contents
Discovering the Church's Ancient Past
What's the Oldest Clue About the Church?
In 1949, a very old stone was found outside the church's west door. This stone is from the 7th or 8th century, which means it's over 1,200 years old! It shows that Christians were living and worshipping here around the year 600 AD. Today, you can see this ancient stone resting against the wall near the Baptistry.
Who Was St. Magloire?
Long ago, there might have been an even older Christian community in the Vale. There was once a chapel dedicated to St. Magloire. He was a famous British missionary born around 535 AD. Even though the chapel itself is gone, it's possible that St. Magloire set up a place for Christian worship here even before 600 AD.
The Priory: A Home for Monks
How Did Monks Come to Guernsey?
Around 968 AD, monks from the Benedictine monastery of Mont Saint-Michel in France came to Guernsey. They wanted to start a new community in the north of the island. It's thought that a land bridge once connected the area near the Vale church to another part of the island. But the sea eventually broke through, making it a separate island at high tide until 1806.
How Did the Church Get Its Land?
Legend says that in 1032, Robert II, Duke of Normandy (who was the father of William the Conqueror) was on his way to England. He had to stop in Guernsey for shelter and gave land, now called the Clos du Valle, to the monks. Later, in 1061, pirates attacked the island. Duke William sent Sampson D'Anneville, who, with the monks' help, drove the pirates away. As a reward, Sampson D'Anneville and the monks received half of the island between them. The monks' part was called Le Fief St Michel. This area included the parishes of St Saviour, St Pierre du Bois, Ste. Marie du Catel, and the Vale.
Why Was Vale Castle Built?
To protect people from pirates, the Vale Castle was built. It gave people a safe place to go during attacks. A big celebration happened in 1117 to mark the completion of major work on the castle.
What Happened to the Priory?
The Priory of Mont Saint-Michel was like a branch of the famous Abbey in France. The only part of the old Priory you can still see today is a piece of wall with supports, located south of the church by the road. The Priory stopped being used around 1414. Some of its wood was even used to fix Castle Cornet.
The Parish Church: A Landmark for Sailors
The church building you see today was dedicated in 1117. Before 1806, when the Braye du Valle was still a waterway, you could reach the church by boat at high tide!
What's Special About the Church's Design?
The church's design shows signs of the monks who lived there. For example, the decorative carvings and the tops of the pillars have a monastic style. Also, the church isn't perfectly straight! None of the angles are exactly square, and the walls aren't parallel. The main part of the church (the Chancel) is slightly out of line with the main seating area (the Nave). This unusual design is said to remind people of Jesus's body on the cross.
Who Were the Early Priests?
In 1555, Thomas de Beaugy was the priest of the Vale. He was the last Roman Catholic priest on the island. Later, in 1585, a Protestant minister from France took over. For a long time, the Vale church and the nearby St Sampson church were looked after by the same minister. But in 1859, the Crown ordered that the two parishes should be separate again.
How Has the Church Changed Over Time?
Many things have been added or updated in the church over the years.
Recent Additions and Improvements
- Windows: A window over the Altar was added to remember Mr. J. H. Ingrouille, who died in 1945 after being imprisoned by the Nazis during the Occupation of the Channel Islands. Another stained glass window was placed in 1963 to remember Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Robin.
- Decorations: Blue carpets, curtains, and cushions were added by the Mothers' Union.
- Heating and Roof: In 1966, the heating system was completely replaced with a new gas boiler and radiators. The old roof slates were also removed and replaced with new ones, a job that continued into 1967.
The Church Bells: A Family Gift
The church has a set of six bells. The original bells were replaced in 1891. The new bells were a gift from the Rector, Reverend Thomas Bell, and his wife, Blanche. They gave the bells in memory of their son, Thomas Arthur Bell, who died young. The bells were made by John Warner & Sons in London. In 1970 and again in 2000, the bells were taken down to be cleaned, retuned, and have their fittings updated. The bells are now rung from the ground floor, right where the churchgoers are, which is a nice change from the old ringing chamber that was reached by an iron ladder outside!
The Church Clock
The church clock, with its four faces, was put in the spire above the bells in 1898. It was installed to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee from the year before. It used to be powered by weights, but it was made electric in 1970. It plays Westminster chimes and strikes the hours.
Church Records: A Look into the Past
The church has records that go all the way back to 1580! These old records are very important for understanding the history of the area. Many of the entries were written in French until 1939. In 1970, the oldest and most fragile records were sent to an expert in England to be carefully preserved and repaired.
Special Items and Art in the Church
The church has several special items used in services, like chalices (cups) and patens (plates). Some of these date back to 1794. In 2007, the church hosted its first art exhibition, showing paintings and sculptures by Canadian artist Christian Corbet. He is a descendant of people from the Vale. He gave all the money from the sales, over £5,000, to the church! He also donated a bronze art medal called "St. Michael and His Sword" to the church's collection. 
Life During the German Occupation
During the German Occupation of the Channel Islands in World War II, many people were evacuated or deported. This meant there were fewer Anglican clergy (church leaders) on the island. The Rector of St. Michel du Valle was deported in 1942, so the Rector of St. Sampson's had to look after four churches! To help, regular church members stepped in to lead services. Because of shortages of fuel and a curfew, evening services had to be held in the afternoon. No Confirmations (a special church ceremony) could take place between 1941 and 1944.
Past Leaders of the Church
Over the centuries, many people have served as leaders at St. Michel du Valle. Here are some of the Rectors of the Vale:
- 1473 Jean Le Carpentier
- 1480 Jean Bequerel
- 1490 Jean Corneille
- 1497 Pierre Houssaye, died 1503
- 1503 George Elys, Doyen 1509, Resigned 1513
- 1513 Jean de Quetteville
- 1550 Jean Hurt
- 1555 Thomas de Beaugy
- 1585 Jean de Cherpont, d. 1587
- 1587 Noel Perruquet
- 1590 Jacques Guyneau, d. 1592
- 1592 Jean Marchand
- 1598 Jeremy Valpy, d. 1606
- 1606 Pierre Painsec
- 1607 Nicholas Efart
- 1607 Thomas Miletjun
- 16- Jean Boulon
- 1652 Thomas Piquot, d. 1604
- 1655 Thomas Le Marchant, resigned 1662
- 1662 Philip Brashmart, d. 1663
- 1859 Thomas Bell, Dean of Guernsey 1892, d.1917
- 1915 Frederick William Stamp Le Lievre, d.1939
- 1939 Grotius Alexander James, d.1961
- 1959 Kenneth Claude Cadman
- 1965 John Raymond Hancock, d.2000
- 1979 Peter Simpson
- 1992 Edward John Widdows
- 2000 Kevin Northover
- 2018 The Revd Stuart Tanswell became the next Rector of the Vale Church.
