Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey
25 (former Methodist Church Manse), Aquila Road, St. Helier
This report has been prepared by Jersey Heritage as part of its responsibility under a Service Level Agreement to provide reports and recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Environment on the architectural, historical and archaeological significance of buildings and sites.
The assessment and recommendation are made in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings. The report includes the views and advice offered by the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group.
Author of report: Roger Hills BA(Hons) MA DipBldgCons (RICS) IHBC Head of Historic Buildings
Date of report: 6 May 2009
File ref: HE0635
Current status
Not registered.
Relevant interests of the site
Historic interest
An intrinsic part of the Aquila Road Methodist Church site. Jersey's Methodist chapels make an important contribution to the island's cultural distinctiveness, and are an integral part of Jersey's environmental, social and economic character and development.
Aquila Road was the principal base in Jersey of the Primitive Methodists, who split from Wesleyan Methodists in 1811. The first Primitive Methodist missionary preached in Jersey in 1832 and services were initially held in a hired room in Garden Lane and then a room in Poonah Road. A church was built at the corner of Aquila Road - opening on 6 December 1839 - and the adjacent manse / chapel keeper's cottage would also appear to date to the mid-19th century period.
Architectural interest
The 2-bay manse retains much its external historic form and detailing – including 12-pane sash windows, doorway with glazed overlight and iron boundary railings.
Scenic interest / group value
The manse / chapel keeper's cottage forms part of a group of buildings including a chapel and Sunday School, which make a strong contribution to the predominantly 19th century street setting.
Advice offered by MRLAG (and others if stated)
MRLAG discussed 25 Aquila Road at its meeting on 6 April 2009. The group noted that the building is of historic interest and group value, and retains its external historic form and detailing. Members were unanimous that No.25 should be registered as BLI.
Jersey Heritage recommendation
No.25 (the former manse / chapel keeper’s cottage) should be registered as a BLI.
Justification relating to criteria
The registration of No.25 (the former manse / chapel keeper’s cottage) as a BLI is in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings as the building substantially retains its external historic form and detail; is of architectural and historical interest as a mid-19th century Methodist manse; and is of scenic and group value.
Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey
Aquila Road Methodist Church - Sunday School, Poonah Road, St. Helier
This report has been prepared by Jersey Heritage as part of its responsibility under a Service Level Agreement to provide reports and recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Environment on the architectural, historical and archaeological significance of buildings and sites.
The assessment and recommendation are made in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings. The report includes the views and advice offered by the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group.
Author of report: Roger Hills BA(Hons) MA DipBldgCons (RICS) IHBC Head of Historic Buildings
Date of report: 6 May 2009
File ref: HE0631
Current status
pSSI.
Relevant interests of the site
Historic interest
Jersey's Methodist chapels make an important contribution to the island's cultural distinctiveness, and are an integral part of Jersey's environmental, social and economic character and development.
Aquila Road was the principal base in Jersey of the Primitive Methodists, who split from Wesleyan Methodists in 1811. The first Primitive Methodist missionary preached in Jersey in 1832 and services were initially held in a hired room in Garden Lane and then a room in Poonah Road. Trustees for the church were sworn in at the Royal Court on 19 June 1839 and work soon began building a church at the corner of Aquila Road - opening on 6 December 1839. A Sunday school was started on site in 1840 but the first purpose-built school premises weren’t completed until 1857. Larger school premises were soon needed and the school was rebuilt, opening on 15 November 1863. The site was converted to a community centre in 2002.
Architectural interest
The Sunday school adjoins the rear of the chapel. It has a gabled south front and retains its historic form and detailing – including a square headed door and gothic window with hood moulds. The windows lighting the schoolroom on the side elevation have a fixed lower section and tilting upper section – each with a border of narrow margin lights. There are 12-pane sash windows lighting the meeting rooms above. The interior of the school building is relatively plain.
Scenic interest / group value
The Sunday School forms part of a group of buildings comprising a chapel and manse / chapel keeper's cottage, which make a strong contribution to the predominantly 19th century street setting.
Advice offered by MRLAG (and others if stated)
MRLAG discussed the Sunday School at its meeting on 6 April 2009. Members noted that the Sunday school is of historic interest and group value, and retains its external historic form and detailing, although has a relatively plain interior. Members were unanimous that the Sunday school should be registered as BLI.
Jersey Heritage recommendation
The Sunday School should be downgraded and registered as a BLI.
Justification relating to criteria
The listing of the Sunday School as an SSI is not in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings as the special interest of the building does not extend substantially to its interior.
The registration of the Sunday School as a BLI is in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings as the building substantially retains its external historic form and detail; is of architectural and historical interest as a 1860s Methodist Sunday School; and is of scenic and group value.
List of Sites of Special Interest
Aquila Road Methodist Church, Aquila Road, St Helier
This report has been prepared by Jersey Heritage as part of its responsibility under a Service Level Agreement to provide reports and recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Environment on the architectural, historical and archaeological significance of buildings and sites.
The assessment and recommendation are made in accordance with Article 51 of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law, 2002; Policy G11 of the Jersey Island Plan, 2002; and criteria for the identification and designation of historic buildings in SPG Practice Note 9, 2008. The report includes the views and advice offered by the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group.
Author of report: Roger Hills BA(Hons) MA DipBldgCons (RICS) IHBC Head of Historic Buildings
Date of report: 6 May 2009
File ref: HE0015
Current status
pSSI.
Relevant interests of the site (see schedule)
Historic interest
Jersey's Methodist chapels make an important contribution to the island's cultural distinctiveness, and are an integral part of Jersey's environmental, social and economic character and development.
Aquila Road was the principal base in Jersey of the Primitive Methodists, who split from Wesleyan Methodists in 1811. The first Primitive Methodist missionary preached in Jersey in 1832 and services were initially held in a hired room in Garden Lane and then a room in Poonah Road. Trustees for the church were sworn in at the Royal Court on 19 June 1839 and work soon began building a church at the corner of Aquila Road. The church was opened on 6 December 1839 and enlarged to its present size in 1866. The church was subject to a major refurbishment in the late 1950s and converted to a community centre in 2002.
Architectural interest
The architectural style of the chapel is a reflection of the chapel community’s wealth and aspiration, and makes a strong contribution to the predominantly 19th century street setting. Of particular note is the pedimented Classical east front with Corinthian pilasters and porch, round-arched windows with Gothic ballflower mouldings to hood moulds, 2-light pointed-arched timber windows, and cast-iron railings.
The internal plan form has generally survived. Particularly valuable features include the 1866 panelled horseshoe gallery carried on Doric columns (externally articulated through windows located high on the show front and double tiers of windows in the side wall), and the decorative ceiling with cornices and roses - all of which are characteristic and distinctive features. The interior also retains its entrance lobby with a pair of oak staircases accessing the gallery, and a pair of organ cases which date to the major refurbishment in the late 1950s.
The church was converted to a community centre in 2002 which necessitated the removal of the pews and pulpit. The fixtures and fittings added to the chapel as part of these works - such as the balcony balustrade, stage area and new ceiling lights - are not part of the listing.
The chapel forms part of a group including a Sunday School and manse / chapel keeper's cottage, which are recommended separately for registration as BLI.
Advice offered by MRLAG (and others if stated)
MRLAG discussed the chapel at its meeting on 6 April 2009. Members were unanimous that the chapel should be listed as an SSI due to its special historical and architectural interest including significant internal features.
Jersey Heritage recommendation
List Aquila Road Methodist Church as SSI.
Justification relating to criteria
The listing of Aquila Road Methodist Church as an SSI is in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings as follows:
- the special interest of the building extends substantially to its authentic fabric, plan form and interior features;
- the building is of special interest for its Classical architectural design;
- the internal plan form of the building contributes significantly to its special interest;
- the building retains major elements of its historic interior;
- the building is illustrative of significant aspects of Jersey’s social and cultural history.
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