St Helier, Jersey

Historical Description

Helier, St, a town and a parish in Jersey. The town is the capital of Jersey, took its name from a recluse who lived at the Hermitage rock in its vicinity, and stands on the E side of St Aubin Bay, opposite to St Aubin, 4½ miles WSW of the eastern extremity of the island at Mont Orgneil castle, and 8½ SE of the north-western extremity at Cape Grosnez. Regular steamboat communication is maintained with it from Southampton, Weymouth, Plymouth, and London, in England, and from St Malo, St Briena, and Granville, in France. Its situation is very pleasant, with an open prospect to the sea, with meadows and hills to the north, and with a copious stream running through from the hills. The old and principal streets were formerly very narrow, but they have been improved both by the reconstruction of houses and by the widening of the thoroughfares. There are some pretty villas and terraces on the higher parts. A spacious, well-built, handsome open space, flagged with smooth stone, is in the centre, bears the name of the Royal Square, was formerly used for the markets, and has on a granite pedestal a gilt statue intended to represent George II. Broad Street and Queen Street, leading off from the square, contain excellent shops, and Gros-venor Terrace and the Crescent, beyond Queen Street, are inhabited chiefly by the English. The Royal Court-house, in the Royal Square, was built in 1647, is the place in which the supreme courts of the island hold their sittings, and was considerably improved and enlarged in 1865-66. The public library, also situated in the Royal Square, was founded in 1736, and contains many valuable works, especially in theology and ecclesiastical history. Victoria College, in the outskirts of the town, was erected in 1852 in commemoration of a visit of the Queen to Jersey in 1859, is a handsome edifice, with terraced walks and charming views, and affords the highest education in the island. The hospital, at the W end of the town, is a large mass of buildings with an extensive garden in front, serves as an infirmary and a poorhouse for all the island, and as a temporary refuge, and till 1866, when a separate asylum was formed, served also for lunatics. The general market in Halkett and Beresford Street has classified arrangements for different kinds of produce, and fish and foreign markets, and cattle and vegetable markets are near it in neighbouring streets. The old theatre was burnt down in 1863, and a new one was erected in its place. The parade is a fine park, formed from an extensive common, and a second park was formed in 1866. Albert Pier but ineffectually, to be a landing-place for steamers at all states of the tide. The harbours, docks, and quays are spacious. Fort Regent, overlooking the harbour, was constructed in 1806 and following years at a cost of £800, 000, forms a great mass of building rising high above the town, and commanding a view of large part of the island, with defence works and quarries which are almost impregnable. Another fort, noticed in our article ELIZABETH CASTLE, is on the E side of the bay, and connected at low water with the mainland by a causeway, called the Bridge, about a mile long. Delightful sands, with bathing-machines, and with all sorts of baths, are on the beach. The parish church, near the Royal Square, dates from 1341, is an imposing edifice, and was restored and enlarged in 1866. In the church are monuments to Major Pierson and the Due de Bouillon. The other churches are All Saints', St Andrew's, St Luke's, St Mark's, St James', and St Paul's; St Simon's Church is an elegant structure of 1866. There are numerous benevolent institutions connected with the town, which has also a head post office, three banks, and several good hotels. Markets are held on Wednesday and Saturday. The parish includes also the village of First Tower, and comprises 2125 acres; population of the civil parish, 29, 133; of the ecclesiastical, 14, 168. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Winchester; net value, £266 with residence. Patron, the Crown. See JERSEY.