A Brief History
of
St Andrew's Church
The foundation Stone of St Andrew's Church was laid on 20th May 1926 by Cecil, The Bishop of Southampton in the presence of Samuel Falle, Dean of Jersey and Rev. H.W. Quarrie, Vicar and can be seen on the outside of the west wall of the church. The church was built by F. Farley & Son, a local firm, whose offices can still be seen across the road. It is built in the beautiful Jersey pink granite like most churches in Jersey.
The Inner Porch was presented by Ernest Farley, Easter- 1938, and the chimes in the Tower were presented to the church by Ella Hamon in August 1938 whilst the clock was presented in memory of William Keough by his Wife Nellie in 1952. The tower was restored in 1994 through the generosity of May Nicolle who died in 1991 aged 99.
On entering the church, the first thing you will probably notice is the wonderful east window depicting the Resurrection which is in memory of Mrs Quarrie, the wife of the first Vicar of this church. The granite Font is dedicated to the memory of Rev. Quarrie who was the inspiration and moving light in building this church, whilst still being Vicar of the first. St. Andrew's Church which was on the Esplanade, St. Helier. Two of the windows on the North side of the church are of denser glass showing that they are much older than the rest, but these were only installed in 1994 and came from an older church, the St. Jame's Church , St Helier which has now become an Art Centre
The Choir Pews came from St. Helier's Church when they decided to replace them and the Organ came from the first St. Andrew's Church on the Esplanade and was built by Alfred Olknow at his workshop ill St. Mark's Road, St. Helier, Jersey, in 1885. There are several others made by him in the Channel Islands.
On the North wall by the door there is a plaque in memory of the "Old Contemptables " British Expeditionary Force 1914 of the First World War and their Colours are laid up on the right of the Altar. Also on this tall is another plaque in remembrance of “ Jack Counter V.C “. A member of this Church who died in 1970. A small housing estate is named after him and can be seen across the park.
The chair near the Altar was presented to the church in memory of Herbert Charles Collett. a valuable member of this church who was killed 8 July 1944.
The most notable window on the South side is what is known as the Children's Window and the 'Mothers and Toddlers' service is held in that area every Thursday afternoon - this is a very lively service as there can be up to 25 or so children!
The door near the Children’s Window leads to our Community Centre which was built in 1976 with funds raised by the congregation. The basement beneath the hall was converted to provide meeting rooms in 2007 which are now used for many activities including various youth clubs.
The Inner Porch was presented by Ernest Farley, Easter- 1938, and the chimes in the Tower were presented to the church by Ella Hamon in August 1938 whilst the clock was presented in memory of William Keough by his Wife Nellie in 1952. The tower was restored in 1994 through the generosity of May Nicolle who died in 1991 aged 99.
On entering the church, the first thing you will probably notice is the wonderful east window depicting the Resurrection which is in memory of Mrs Quarrie, the wife of the first Vicar of this church. The granite Font is dedicated to the memory of Rev. Quarrie who was the inspiration and moving light in building this church, whilst still being Vicar of the first. St. Andrew's Church which was on the Esplanade, St. Helier. Two of the windows on the North side of the church are of denser glass showing that they are much older than the rest, but these were only installed in 1994 and came from an older church, the St. Jame's Church , St Helier which has now become an Art Centre
The Choir Pews came from St. Helier's Church when they decided to replace them and the Organ came from the first St. Andrew's Church on the Esplanade and was built by Alfred Olknow at his workshop ill St. Mark's Road, St. Helier, Jersey, in 1885. There are several others made by him in the Channel Islands.
On the North wall by the door there is a plaque in memory of the "Old Contemptables " British Expeditionary Force 1914 of the First World War and their Colours are laid up on the right of the Altar. Also on this tall is another plaque in remembrance of “ Jack Counter V.C “. A member of this Church who died in 1970. A small housing estate is named after him and can be seen across the park.
The chair near the Altar was presented to the church in memory of Herbert Charles Collett. a valuable member of this church who was killed 8 July 1944.
The most notable window on the South side is what is known as the Children's Window and the 'Mothers and Toddlers' service is held in that area every Thursday afternoon - this is a very lively service as there can be up to 25 or so children!
The door near the Children’s Window leads to our Community Centre which was built in 1976 with funds raised by the congregation. The basement beneath the hall was converted to provide meeting rooms in 2007 which are now used for many activities including various youth clubs.
A more detailed chronology
The history of the Church of St Andrew in Jersey is interesting for many reasons. Not only that it started in a carpenter's shop in 1850 but also the fact that in 2005 it still has in the congregation people who used to attend the old St. Andrew's Church on the Esplanade in St. Helier.
We will try to trace the movements and activities in date order.
1850 The Rev. A. Bibby hired a room in Castle Street which had been a carpenters' shop and before that a Roman Catholic chapel. Later it became a public house and in 2001 a suite of offices.
1854 From this humble start sprang the Chapel of St. Andrew on the Esplanade, St. Helier when the Rev. Philippe Filleul and others purchased a piece of land for this purpose. It became a Chapel of Ease of St. Helier with a Curate. It was intended to serve the large sea-faring population in that area.
1869 On September 6th 1869 the Rev. Filleul and others conveyed the land and the Church of St Andrew to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and on the 16th September 1869 the Church was consecrated by the Right Reverend Vincent William Ryan, D.D. From that time the priest-in-charge was no longer a second curate but a Vicar.
1870 By Order in council dated 22nd February 1870 the Ecclesiastical District of St. Andrew was created.
1871 Quite separately, a mission church was established in wooden premises alongside HopeVilla on Mont Cochon under the jurisdiction of all Saints Church in the Parade.
This subsequently became known as First Tower Church.
St. Andrew's Church district, around the Esplanade, embraced 533 houses and a population of 4,262. The church's activities included:- Day School for 66 Children.
Sunday School with 20 teachers. There were 90 children in the morning and 176 in the afternoon, a Lending Library, Girls' Friendly Society, Temperance Society, District Visiting Society, Sick Scholars Fund, Dorcas Society (which made garments and helped the needy at Christmas), and Blanket Charity (which lent bedding to "the respectable poor" during the six winter months).
1881 Herbert William Quarrie, later to become the first Vicar of St. Andrew's, was born in Ulverston near Barrow-in-Furness.
1899 'that upon such consecration and a virtue of the of the provisions of section 13 of The Church Building Act 1845 (8 and 9 Vict.c.70) which said Act was registered upon the records of the Island of Jersey by Act of the Royal Court of Jersey dated 29th June 1899, the freehold of the site of the said Church of St. Andrew vested ipso facto in the Rector of the Parish of St. Helier as the incumbent for the time being of the Church to which the said Church of St. Andrew was a Chapel of Ease.
Upon the creation of the Ecclesiastical District of St. Andrew, the freehold of the site of the Church of St. Andrew became and was vested ipso facto in the Vicar of the Church of St. Andrew and his successors for ever.
1906 Rev. Samuel Falle was appointed Dean of Jersey. Rev. Herbert William Quarrie was appointed his assistant as curate at the Town Church.
1910 The boundaries of the Ecclesiastical Districts of St. Andrew's and Al1 Saints were altered on 19 July 1910.
1911 Tuesday 9th May 1911 Gervaise Le Gros, son of Jean offered to John Edwin Pinel Esq. Connetable of the Parish of St. Helier and Elias Pequin Falle Esq. one of the procureurs du Bien Public of the Parish of St. Helier "to seed gratuitously to the parish to be used as a garden and public recreation ground the land on which is the Cromlech situated near First Tower in the Vintaigne du Mont Cochon..........provide that. To resign to the Ecclesiastical District of the district of St. Andrew, all and as much land as may lie to the east of the road that will be established alongside the property of the said M. Renant and to allow them free access to the said church by the said roads, the said Giervaise Le Gros Esq. in his capacity of Lord of the Manor of Prieur du Mont Cochon, abandoned in perpetuity in favour of the said parish all the Seignorial Rights that he might have on the said land so that it will remain free and discharged in perpetuity of all flights, dues and Services."
1911 The Revd H W Quarrie was appointed as Vicar of St. Andrew's Church on the Esplanade.
1914 The First World War was declared. Some time during the War Rev. Quarrie had to serve as a Chaplain to the Forces.
1921 Further land was given for the building of the new church and Rev. Quarrie was given the special charge of building St. Andrew's at First Tower where the district was developing rapidly. In contrast, by the mid 1920s, the decline of the shipping industry had caused the church near the harbour to outlive its original purpose. Legal hitches greatly increased difficulties and hindered the progress with the building of the new church owing to the fact that we have our own Canon Law locally and laws passed on the mainland do not apply in Jersey.
1926 The Foundation Stone of the new church at First Tower was laid on 20th May 1926 by The Bishop of Southampton, The Right Rev. Cecil Boutflower, D.D. who had arrived in the Island the previous morning, 19th May 1926 aboard the s.s St. Helier.
1927 The first portion of the church building was consecrated on 26th September.
1928 The last service at the old St. Andrew's Church on the Esplanade was held on April 1st. The interior was stripped and some features including the organ, which had been built by local craftsman Alfred Olknow at his workshop in St. Marks Road, St. Helier, in 1885, and the font were moved to the new church. The choir stalls and priests' desks in the new church had come from St. Helier's Church. At some time the old wooden church on Mont Cochon was handed over to St. Andrew's to be used as a church hall.
In the Parish Magazine of January 1928:- "We extend a particularly warm welcome to the men and boys of the old St. Andrew's choir who loyally stuck to the ship in new waters. The new choir is strong and keen, and we look forward to great results. The new and smart scarlet cassocks have been greatly admired."
1929 The remaining portion of the church building was consecrated on May 19th.
1931 On December 17th the old St Andrew's Church on the Esplanade was deconsecrated.
1934 The building that had housed the old church on the Esplanade was sold and converted to a warehouse and later a car saleroom.
1938 At Easter the inner porch of St Andrew's was presented by Ernest Farley.
The church tower, now completed, was consecrated on 3rd June by the Lord Bishop of Winchester in the presence of the Dean of Jersey, the Very Rev. M. Le Marinel, many of the island clergy and a large number of the congregation.
In August the chimes (records and amplifier) in the tower were presented by Ella Hamon.
As soon as the church debt had been cleared, the congregation began fund raising tobuild a new church hall to replace the former wooden All Saints Mission Hall on Mont Cochon which had been used as a hall for many years by St Andrew's. Fetes, bazaars and sponsored walks were held. It was not all work, as the boys' choir had a football team, and there was a Youth Club and a Tennis Club, all attached to the church. It was a very lively church.
1939 Beautiful stained glass east window was given by the Vicar in memory of his wife, and was consecrated on Easter Day.
The church was now complete except for the flooring and permanent pews.
The Second World War was declared in September so fund raising was limited untilthe end of the war. Two War Working Parties, Senior and Junior, were set up.
1940 On July 1st, the Germans invaded the island and Rev. Quarrie described this "a time of unparrelled gravity" in his Vicar's letter in the Year Book of 1940-1941. Mr. E. J. Bisson gave the church his harmonium, powered by foot pedals, to use when the electricity was cut off which allowed the services to continue. Many activities carried on as normally as possible. During the Occupation Rev. Quarrie was chaplain to H.M, Prison, and only relinquished this in 1960, after twenty years.
1945 On Sunday April 1st, before Liberation, Rev. Quarrie decided to hand over the Easter Offerings of the congregation to the International Red Cross Fund. £160 was raised and this was described as "a handsome sum" in the Evening Post report. Liberation came on 9th of May and Special Services of Thanksgiving were held. A total of £60. 3s. 5d.was sent to St Dunstan's which were the Christmas collections over the war years, even during the Occupation.
1948 On Sunday, May 30th, a new granite Pulpit was dedicated by the Right Rev. Bishop Lang. The inscription is:- This pulpit is a gift from friends in recognition of Rev. Herbert W. Quarrie's services to St. Andrew's Church. May 1948.
1952 The clock on the tower was presented in memory of Mr William Keogh by his wife Nellie.
1962 On July 25th it was the fiftieth anniversary of the Rev. Quarrie's institution as Vicar of St Andrew's Church. Under the patronage of The Right Rev. S. F. Allison, D.D. Lord Bishop of Winchester, a special appeal fund was launched for the completion of the Vicar's life's work by the building of a vicarage and hall. The Dean of Jersey, The Very Rev. Canon A. S. Giles, said in his letter "what better way to commemorate his jubilee than by offering him a token of the esteem in which he is held?".
1967 Rev. Quarrie retired at the age of 82 having been Vicar of St Andrew's for 55 years. The congregation had however dropped in numbers and the announcement of the retirement of Rev. Quarrie had brought a new challenge to the congregation as we had no Vicarage (Rev. Quarrie lived in his own house). We had to stop raising funds for the hall and concentrate on raising funds to complete the building of the Vicarage before a new vicar could be appointed.
The Rev, Dr. Fred C. Olliver was appointed as Ministre Desservant for a few months.
1968 Rev. George Dockrell was appointed Vicar and was inducted as Vicar of the Church of St. Andrew on Friday evening the 1st November. The ceremony was conducted by the Dean of Jersey, the Very Rev. Alan S. Giles. After the ceremony, the congregation was invited to a reception in the First Tower School Hall.
Rev. Dockrell introduced the Family Services on the first Sunday of the month and the Toddlers Services on Thursdays. The morning services were changed to start at 10.30 a.m. instead of at 11 a.m. The Mothers Union increased in numbers and a Youth club was started; also a Young Wives Group. The choir increased to 29 members. Having paid in full for the new Vicarage, fundraising restarted for the hall but was again stopped in order to raise funds for a major overhaul of the organ. The raising of funds for the repair was a success, the total cost being about £2,300. We then began raising funds for the hall and this time we managed to complete the project. It was during this period that Rev. Dockrell suggested that we were becoming too inward looking and we all agreed that we would give a special collection once a month to a charity, either local or overseas. This continues.
A book could be written about the hard work and upsets, the rejected plans both by the committee and the IDC, but also about the wonderful fellowship and friends made running Coffee Mornings, Jumble Sales, Charity Walks, collecting old newspapers etc. etc. The congregation increased in numbers to over 100.
1976 The 20th May was the 50th Anniversary of the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the church. The Lieut.- Governor General Sir Desmond FitzPatrick dug out the ceremonial square of turf for the new Church Hall in the field alongside the church to the south. A Flower Festival was held in the church for four days to help raise further funds.
The Rev. Herbert William Quarrie died on June 9th at the age of 94. He had lived at Eulah, Mont Cochon, which for many years was used by him as the vicarage. For many years he was looked after by his sister, but following her death, Mrs Falle, widow of Dean Falle, looked after Mr Quarrie in his declining years. The funeral was held at St. Andrew's Church on Monday, June 14th and the service was conducted by Rev. George Dockrell. In his address, the Dean of Jersey, the Very Rev. Tom Goss, said that Mr Quarrie had been fortunate to have been discovered and nurtured by Dean Samuel Falle. The parish of St Andrew had benefited enormously from a very great priest.
1977 The old wooden St Andrew's Church Hall (formerly All Saints Mission Hall) and No. 1 Hope Villas, Mont Cochon (the caretaker's house) was sold. The new Community Centre was now completed. Total cost was £128,000 of which £12,500 was donated by the States of Jersey; £10,000 by the Parish of St Helier, and the remainder by donations and fund-raising events.
1978 30th November. The Church Hall, now known as the St. Andrew's Community Centre, was officially opened by the Lieut. Governor General Sir Desmond Fitzpatrick. The Dean of Jersey, the Very Rev. Tom Goss, after a brief address, blessed the building. A plaque commemorating the Opening with a list of the committee members is displayed in the foyer. The hall was straight-away requested by different organisations and clubs for various events. Thursdays were reserved for Church activities.
1980 On Sunday, January 6, a congregation of over 200 of the regular worshippers attended a Family Service to say goodbye to Revd Dockrell who was resigning and going back to England with his family. After a lively service the congregation moved into the Community Centre. There, Mr C. Glendewar, Almoner, welcomed all those present, especially three past Churchwardens, Mr W. P. Le Marquand, Mr E. de la Haye and Mr R. E. Bisson, all of whom had worked with the Vicar. A carriage clock, suitably inscribed, and a cheque were presented by the other Church Warden, Mr Phil Perchard, as a token of appreciation for all the work Mr Dockrell had done over the past eleven years. He also announced that the debt on the community centre had been fully paid - a remarkable achievement in such a short time.
1980 The Rev. Desmond Springham was appointed Vicar and in July was given a hearty welcome to this parish at a service of Induction, conducted by the Dean, the Very Rev. Tom Goss. Mr Springham came from the parish of Worthing, in Basingstoke, where he was Vicar of three churches for 14 years and had responsibility for 20,000 parishioners. The St Andrew's congregation continued to grow to about 150 plus every Sunday, with a Sunday School of over 30 children and a choir of 20. It was during this period mat we started the Church Holidays, with visits to Lee Abbey in Devon, and then to Highlands, Corbiere, Jersey. Fellowship Lunches were started on the first Thursday of each month of October to May. These are for the over 60s of the congregation and people living nearby, whether they come to St Andrew's or not.
Rev. Springham became the new Editor of The Pilot, the Church of England’s local monthly magazine.
1986 On Sunday, 19th September, a brand new granite font was dedicated to the memory of Rev. Quarrie. The special service was attended by the Very Rev. Basil O'Farrell, Dean of Jersey. The font was bought for about £2,000, collected over the years by the congregation. It was designed by Jerseyman, Mr Cyril Warreny and made in Cornwall.
1987 The “Great Storm" in October brought down many trees near the church but, thankfully, no damage was done to the building.
1994 The tower was restored through the generosity of May Nicolle who died in 1991 aged 99. Mrs Carol Springham, wife of the Vicar, qualified as a Lay Reader.
1995 The Sunday School was running out of space, so an application was made to erect a portakabin temporarily within the existing ear park, which was granted. On 22nd April an "Occupation Jersey Evening" was held in the hall to celebrate 50 years of Liberation.
1997 Rev. Springham retired on 27th April, and returned to England.
Rev. John Davies was appointed Minister Desservant and Rev. Geoffrey Baker and some of the local retired clergy also helped between the months of April and October.
1997 In October Rev. Michael S. Taylor was chosen as Parish Priest of St Andrew's and on 9th October a Service for the Appointment was held.
1999 The Institution and Induction Service of Rev. Michael Stewart Taylor B.Th. as Vicar of St Andrew's was held on 1st February 1999.
2001 The 75th Anniversary of the Laying of the Foundation Stone was held from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th May. On the Friday and Saturday the church was open to view Floral and Static Displays and on Sunday at 10.30 a.m. a Service of Celebration was held in the presence of His Excellency Air Chief Marshal Sk John Hutton KBE, CB. Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey. At 6.30 p.m. there was another Service of Celebration with Hymns new and old.
2004 This was the year when further fund raising was started in order to create rooms in the basement under the hall.
2005 Toddlers Services, Junior Church, Youth Group and Club, House Groups, Alpha courses, Fund Raising events, The Open Book at First Tower School, Monday Fellowship, Fellowship Lunches, and Choir are continuing. The commencement of creating the new rooms in the basement of the hall is now near.
2007 The new rooms under the hall were officially opened in April.
2013 Using funds bequeathed to the Church for the purpose of refurbishment we embarked on a project to replace the inside porch area of the church with glass doors. The dark wooden panels were removed and replaced with glass and beech panelling creating an open and bright welcome area to the church.
Christ is and has been the Corner Stone of all that has been, and will be, done. Glory be to God.
We will try to trace the movements and activities in date order.
1850 The Rev. A. Bibby hired a room in Castle Street which had been a carpenters' shop and before that a Roman Catholic chapel. Later it became a public house and in 2001 a suite of offices.
1854 From this humble start sprang the Chapel of St. Andrew on the Esplanade, St. Helier when the Rev. Philippe Filleul and others purchased a piece of land for this purpose. It became a Chapel of Ease of St. Helier with a Curate. It was intended to serve the large sea-faring population in that area.
1869 On September 6th 1869 the Rev. Filleul and others conveyed the land and the Church of St Andrew to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and on the 16th September 1869 the Church was consecrated by the Right Reverend Vincent William Ryan, D.D. From that time the priest-in-charge was no longer a second curate but a Vicar.
1870 By Order in council dated 22nd February 1870 the Ecclesiastical District of St. Andrew was created.
1871 Quite separately, a mission church was established in wooden premises alongside HopeVilla on Mont Cochon under the jurisdiction of all Saints Church in the Parade.
This subsequently became known as First Tower Church.
St. Andrew's Church district, around the Esplanade, embraced 533 houses and a population of 4,262. The church's activities included:- Day School for 66 Children.
Sunday School with 20 teachers. There were 90 children in the morning and 176 in the afternoon, a Lending Library, Girls' Friendly Society, Temperance Society, District Visiting Society, Sick Scholars Fund, Dorcas Society (which made garments and helped the needy at Christmas), and Blanket Charity (which lent bedding to "the respectable poor" during the six winter months).
1881 Herbert William Quarrie, later to become the first Vicar of St. Andrew's, was born in Ulverston near Barrow-in-Furness.
1899 'that upon such consecration and a virtue of the of the provisions of section 13 of The Church Building Act 1845 (8 and 9 Vict.c.70) which said Act was registered upon the records of the Island of Jersey by Act of the Royal Court of Jersey dated 29th June 1899, the freehold of the site of the said Church of St. Andrew vested ipso facto in the Rector of the Parish of St. Helier as the incumbent for the time being of the Church to which the said Church of St. Andrew was a Chapel of Ease.
Upon the creation of the Ecclesiastical District of St. Andrew, the freehold of the site of the Church of St. Andrew became and was vested ipso facto in the Vicar of the Church of St. Andrew and his successors for ever.
1906 Rev. Samuel Falle was appointed Dean of Jersey. Rev. Herbert William Quarrie was appointed his assistant as curate at the Town Church.
1910 The boundaries of the Ecclesiastical Districts of St. Andrew's and Al1 Saints were altered on 19 July 1910.
1911 Tuesday 9th May 1911 Gervaise Le Gros, son of Jean offered to John Edwin Pinel Esq. Connetable of the Parish of St. Helier and Elias Pequin Falle Esq. one of the procureurs du Bien Public of the Parish of St. Helier "to seed gratuitously to the parish to be used as a garden and public recreation ground the land on which is the Cromlech situated near First Tower in the Vintaigne du Mont Cochon..........provide that. To resign to the Ecclesiastical District of the district of St. Andrew, all and as much land as may lie to the east of the road that will be established alongside the property of the said M. Renant and to allow them free access to the said church by the said roads, the said Giervaise Le Gros Esq. in his capacity of Lord of the Manor of Prieur du Mont Cochon, abandoned in perpetuity in favour of the said parish all the Seignorial Rights that he might have on the said land so that it will remain free and discharged in perpetuity of all flights, dues and Services."
1911 The Revd H W Quarrie was appointed as Vicar of St. Andrew's Church on the Esplanade.
1914 The First World War was declared. Some time during the War Rev. Quarrie had to serve as a Chaplain to the Forces.
1921 Further land was given for the building of the new church and Rev. Quarrie was given the special charge of building St. Andrew's at First Tower where the district was developing rapidly. In contrast, by the mid 1920s, the decline of the shipping industry had caused the church near the harbour to outlive its original purpose. Legal hitches greatly increased difficulties and hindered the progress with the building of the new church owing to the fact that we have our own Canon Law locally and laws passed on the mainland do not apply in Jersey.
1926 The Foundation Stone of the new church at First Tower was laid on 20th May 1926 by The Bishop of Southampton, The Right Rev. Cecil Boutflower, D.D. who had arrived in the Island the previous morning, 19th May 1926 aboard the s.s St. Helier.
1927 The first portion of the church building was consecrated on 26th September.
1928 The last service at the old St. Andrew's Church on the Esplanade was held on April 1st. The interior was stripped and some features including the organ, which had been built by local craftsman Alfred Olknow at his workshop in St. Marks Road, St. Helier, in 1885, and the font were moved to the new church. The choir stalls and priests' desks in the new church had come from St. Helier's Church. At some time the old wooden church on Mont Cochon was handed over to St. Andrew's to be used as a church hall.
In the Parish Magazine of January 1928:- "We extend a particularly warm welcome to the men and boys of the old St. Andrew's choir who loyally stuck to the ship in new waters. The new choir is strong and keen, and we look forward to great results. The new and smart scarlet cassocks have been greatly admired."
1929 The remaining portion of the church building was consecrated on May 19th.
1931 On December 17th the old St Andrew's Church on the Esplanade was deconsecrated.
1934 The building that had housed the old church on the Esplanade was sold and converted to a warehouse and later a car saleroom.
1938 At Easter the inner porch of St Andrew's was presented by Ernest Farley.
The church tower, now completed, was consecrated on 3rd June by the Lord Bishop of Winchester in the presence of the Dean of Jersey, the Very Rev. M. Le Marinel, many of the island clergy and a large number of the congregation.
In August the chimes (records and amplifier) in the tower were presented by Ella Hamon.
As soon as the church debt had been cleared, the congregation began fund raising tobuild a new church hall to replace the former wooden All Saints Mission Hall on Mont Cochon which had been used as a hall for many years by St Andrew's. Fetes, bazaars and sponsored walks were held. It was not all work, as the boys' choir had a football team, and there was a Youth Club and a Tennis Club, all attached to the church. It was a very lively church.
1939 Beautiful stained glass east window was given by the Vicar in memory of his wife, and was consecrated on Easter Day.
The church was now complete except for the flooring and permanent pews.
The Second World War was declared in September so fund raising was limited untilthe end of the war. Two War Working Parties, Senior and Junior, were set up.
1940 On July 1st, the Germans invaded the island and Rev. Quarrie described this "a time of unparrelled gravity" in his Vicar's letter in the Year Book of 1940-1941. Mr. E. J. Bisson gave the church his harmonium, powered by foot pedals, to use when the electricity was cut off which allowed the services to continue. Many activities carried on as normally as possible. During the Occupation Rev. Quarrie was chaplain to H.M, Prison, and only relinquished this in 1960, after twenty years.
1945 On Sunday April 1st, before Liberation, Rev. Quarrie decided to hand over the Easter Offerings of the congregation to the International Red Cross Fund. £160 was raised and this was described as "a handsome sum" in the Evening Post report. Liberation came on 9th of May and Special Services of Thanksgiving were held. A total of £60. 3s. 5d.was sent to St Dunstan's which were the Christmas collections over the war years, even during the Occupation.
1948 On Sunday, May 30th, a new granite Pulpit was dedicated by the Right Rev. Bishop Lang. The inscription is:- This pulpit is a gift from friends in recognition of Rev. Herbert W. Quarrie's services to St. Andrew's Church. May 1948.
1952 The clock on the tower was presented in memory of Mr William Keogh by his wife Nellie.
1962 On July 25th it was the fiftieth anniversary of the Rev. Quarrie's institution as Vicar of St Andrew's Church. Under the patronage of The Right Rev. S. F. Allison, D.D. Lord Bishop of Winchester, a special appeal fund was launched for the completion of the Vicar's life's work by the building of a vicarage and hall. The Dean of Jersey, The Very Rev. Canon A. S. Giles, said in his letter "what better way to commemorate his jubilee than by offering him a token of the esteem in which he is held?".
1967 Rev. Quarrie retired at the age of 82 having been Vicar of St Andrew's for 55 years. The congregation had however dropped in numbers and the announcement of the retirement of Rev. Quarrie had brought a new challenge to the congregation as we had no Vicarage (Rev. Quarrie lived in his own house). We had to stop raising funds for the hall and concentrate on raising funds to complete the building of the Vicarage before a new vicar could be appointed.
The Rev, Dr. Fred C. Olliver was appointed as Ministre Desservant for a few months.
1968 Rev. George Dockrell was appointed Vicar and was inducted as Vicar of the Church of St. Andrew on Friday evening the 1st November. The ceremony was conducted by the Dean of Jersey, the Very Rev. Alan S. Giles. After the ceremony, the congregation was invited to a reception in the First Tower School Hall.
Rev. Dockrell introduced the Family Services on the first Sunday of the month and the Toddlers Services on Thursdays. The morning services were changed to start at 10.30 a.m. instead of at 11 a.m. The Mothers Union increased in numbers and a Youth club was started; also a Young Wives Group. The choir increased to 29 members. Having paid in full for the new Vicarage, fundraising restarted for the hall but was again stopped in order to raise funds for a major overhaul of the organ. The raising of funds for the repair was a success, the total cost being about £2,300. We then began raising funds for the hall and this time we managed to complete the project. It was during this period that Rev. Dockrell suggested that we were becoming too inward looking and we all agreed that we would give a special collection once a month to a charity, either local or overseas. This continues.
A book could be written about the hard work and upsets, the rejected plans both by the committee and the IDC, but also about the wonderful fellowship and friends made running Coffee Mornings, Jumble Sales, Charity Walks, collecting old newspapers etc. etc. The congregation increased in numbers to over 100.
1976 The 20th May was the 50th Anniversary of the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the church. The Lieut.- Governor General Sir Desmond FitzPatrick dug out the ceremonial square of turf for the new Church Hall in the field alongside the church to the south. A Flower Festival was held in the church for four days to help raise further funds.
The Rev. Herbert William Quarrie died on June 9th at the age of 94. He had lived at Eulah, Mont Cochon, which for many years was used by him as the vicarage. For many years he was looked after by his sister, but following her death, Mrs Falle, widow of Dean Falle, looked after Mr Quarrie in his declining years. The funeral was held at St. Andrew's Church on Monday, June 14th and the service was conducted by Rev. George Dockrell. In his address, the Dean of Jersey, the Very Rev. Tom Goss, said that Mr Quarrie had been fortunate to have been discovered and nurtured by Dean Samuel Falle. The parish of St Andrew had benefited enormously from a very great priest.
1977 The old wooden St Andrew's Church Hall (formerly All Saints Mission Hall) and No. 1 Hope Villas, Mont Cochon (the caretaker's house) was sold. The new Community Centre was now completed. Total cost was £128,000 of which £12,500 was donated by the States of Jersey; £10,000 by the Parish of St Helier, and the remainder by donations and fund-raising events.
1978 30th November. The Church Hall, now known as the St. Andrew's Community Centre, was officially opened by the Lieut. Governor General Sir Desmond Fitzpatrick. The Dean of Jersey, the Very Rev. Tom Goss, after a brief address, blessed the building. A plaque commemorating the Opening with a list of the committee members is displayed in the foyer. The hall was straight-away requested by different organisations and clubs for various events. Thursdays were reserved for Church activities.
1980 On Sunday, January 6, a congregation of over 200 of the regular worshippers attended a Family Service to say goodbye to Revd Dockrell who was resigning and going back to England with his family. After a lively service the congregation moved into the Community Centre. There, Mr C. Glendewar, Almoner, welcomed all those present, especially three past Churchwardens, Mr W. P. Le Marquand, Mr E. de la Haye and Mr R. E. Bisson, all of whom had worked with the Vicar. A carriage clock, suitably inscribed, and a cheque were presented by the other Church Warden, Mr Phil Perchard, as a token of appreciation for all the work Mr Dockrell had done over the past eleven years. He also announced that the debt on the community centre had been fully paid - a remarkable achievement in such a short time.
1980 The Rev. Desmond Springham was appointed Vicar and in July was given a hearty welcome to this parish at a service of Induction, conducted by the Dean, the Very Rev. Tom Goss. Mr Springham came from the parish of Worthing, in Basingstoke, where he was Vicar of three churches for 14 years and had responsibility for 20,000 parishioners. The St Andrew's congregation continued to grow to about 150 plus every Sunday, with a Sunday School of over 30 children and a choir of 20. It was during this period mat we started the Church Holidays, with visits to Lee Abbey in Devon, and then to Highlands, Corbiere, Jersey. Fellowship Lunches were started on the first Thursday of each month of October to May. These are for the over 60s of the congregation and people living nearby, whether they come to St Andrew's or not.
Rev. Springham became the new Editor of The Pilot, the Church of England’s local monthly magazine.
1986 On Sunday, 19th September, a brand new granite font was dedicated to the memory of Rev. Quarrie. The special service was attended by the Very Rev. Basil O'Farrell, Dean of Jersey. The font was bought for about £2,000, collected over the years by the congregation. It was designed by Jerseyman, Mr Cyril Warreny and made in Cornwall.
1987 The “Great Storm" in October brought down many trees near the church but, thankfully, no damage was done to the building.
1994 The tower was restored through the generosity of May Nicolle who died in 1991 aged 99. Mrs Carol Springham, wife of the Vicar, qualified as a Lay Reader.
1995 The Sunday School was running out of space, so an application was made to erect a portakabin temporarily within the existing ear park, which was granted. On 22nd April an "Occupation Jersey Evening" was held in the hall to celebrate 50 years of Liberation.
1997 Rev. Springham retired on 27th April, and returned to England.
Rev. John Davies was appointed Minister Desservant and Rev. Geoffrey Baker and some of the local retired clergy also helped between the months of April and October.
1997 In October Rev. Michael S. Taylor was chosen as Parish Priest of St Andrew's and on 9th October a Service for the Appointment was held.
1999 The Institution and Induction Service of Rev. Michael Stewart Taylor B.Th. as Vicar of St Andrew's was held on 1st February 1999.
2001 The 75th Anniversary of the Laying of the Foundation Stone was held from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th May. On the Friday and Saturday the church was open to view Floral and Static Displays and on Sunday at 10.30 a.m. a Service of Celebration was held in the presence of His Excellency Air Chief Marshal Sk John Hutton KBE, CB. Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey. At 6.30 p.m. there was another Service of Celebration with Hymns new and old.
2004 This was the year when further fund raising was started in order to create rooms in the basement under the hall.
2005 Toddlers Services, Junior Church, Youth Group and Club, House Groups, Alpha courses, Fund Raising events, The Open Book at First Tower School, Monday Fellowship, Fellowship Lunches, and Choir are continuing. The commencement of creating the new rooms in the basement of the hall is now near.
2007 The new rooms under the hall were officially opened in April.
2013 Using funds bequeathed to the Church for the purpose of refurbishment we embarked on a project to replace the inside porch area of the church with glass doors. The dark wooden panels were removed and replaced with glass and beech panelling creating an open and bright welcome area to the church.
Christ is and has been the Corner Stone of all that has been, and will be, done. Glory be to God.