St. Brelade’s parish church - (bus route 12) is at
the west end of St. Brelade’s Bay, built of local La Moye
granite, with the sea coming up to the churchyard, probably the
most picturesque church on the island. It dates from as early as
the eleventh-century and the south, east and west walls of the
original Norman building are still standing. Since then, there have
been numerous changes and additions have been made, including, at
the end of the 19th century, church pews in the then contemporary
art nouveau style, which are still in use.
Outside the church is a short footpath leading from the south
door down some granite steps, to the sea. This is the perquage or
sanctuary path, which every island church had in the Middle
Ages. It offered to those members of the parish who had broken the
law away of escape from the harsh torture and imprisonment that
would await them if they were found guilty at their trial. Many
criminals chose to go down the perquage path to perpetual
banishment from Jersey rather than face the rigours of the medieval
penal system.
Right beside the parish church is the well known
Fisherman’s Chapel which may in fact mark the site of the
original church, it too is built from local granite and dates back
to the 12th century.
Reference: ‘Jersey’ by Sonia Hillsdon.
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