Situated in the northeastern corner of the island, Saint Martin is one of the twelve parishes of the Channel Island of Jersey. It has been called Saint Martin le Vieux in order to distinguish it from what is today the parish of Grouville, which was historically called Saint Martin de Grouville. The parish is bordered by Trinity to the west and north, St. Savior to its west and south, and Grouville to its south. Occupying nearly the entire northeastern portion of the island with its jagged coastline which extends from Rozel Bay on the north to Gorey Harbour on the south, and including St. Catherine's Bay and numerous smaller inlets. In 1847, at the northern limit of St. Catherine's Bay, at Verclut Point, an 826-yard long breakwater was constructed. An octagonal lighthouse with its light sixty feet above sea level sits at the seaward end.
For administrative purposes, the parish is divided into La Vingtaine de Rozel, La Vingtaine de Faldouet, La Vingtaine de la Quéruée, La Vingtaine de l'Église, and La Vingtaine du Fief de la Reine. Saint Martin is the only Jersey parish that does not conduct its official business from a parish hall, instead using a public hall which is paid by the States of Jersey to provide an assembly room.
The prehistoric castle of Mont Orgueil looms large in the tiny village of Gorey and Gorey Harbour. It was fortified in ancient times but after the division of the Duchy of Normandy in 1204, the castle was built. It was the main defense of Jersey prior to the development of gunpowder, after which the castle was neutered and said to be vulnerable even to a musket shot. The construction of Mont Orgueil's replacement, Elizabeth Castle began at the end of the 16th century off the coast of Saint Helier. The proposal to raze the old castle and use the stones for the new fort was turned down by Sir Walter Raleigh, the Governor of Jersey at the time. The castle still stands today. The English Crown sent its more bothersome criminals away from England, and Jersey was far enough, so Orgueil served as the prison for the island of Jersey int another prison was built in Saint Helier in the 17th century. The prisoners were transferred to Elizabeth Castle around 1693.
St. Martin's Parish Church in Saint Martin on Jersey is dedicated to St. Martin-le-Vieux and should not be confused with Grouville, which is dedicated to St. Martin, Bishop of Tours. It is stone vaulted and has a red tile roof. It also has numerous supporting buttresses. The tower has been struck by lightning twice. In 1616, the strike broke the spire into two pieces. It happened as people were entering the church. The spire was rebuilt, but in 1837, it happened again. The church records have been preserved going back to the 1590s.
One of the most unusual things about this church visible almost immediately. Over the eaves, just beneath the clock is an antique sundial. It was given to the church in 1732 by the Vicomte, George Bandinel. The current bell was bought in 1768. There are two human faces carved inside the church, the first one over the window of the vestry and the other on the south wall. No one seems to know whose faces they are or why they are there. Additionally, there are two gargoyles with water spouts which date back to before the Reformation.
Recommended Resources
Situated a short distance from the Mont Orgueil Castle, as well as the Gorey pier and harbor, the camping area is within the parish of St. Martin on the Channel Island of Jersey. An overview of the camping facilities and features are presented, including a gallery of photographs, policy information, and contacts.
http://www.campingjersey.com/
The St. Martin, Jersey hotel offers guest bedrooms with private facilities and a variety of amenities which are described here, as well as a pool, restaurant, and a lounge bar that dates back to the 11th century. Its prices are posted online, and prospective guests can check availability and register through the site.
https://bellalucehotel.com
Chateau la Chaire Hotel & Restaurant
Originally constructed as a private residence in the 1800s, and located along the cliffs of the wooded valley of Rozel in the parish of St. Martin, Jersey, the hotel offers a range of accommodations, including a split-level suite as well as rooms with feature beds, private balconies and ensuite spa bathrooms. Rooms and tables may be booked online.
https://www.chateau-la-chaire.co.uk
Feast is a restaurant situated on Gorey Pier, right below the castle in the parish of St. Martin, Jersey. With seating for forty inside and a large al fresco area, its menu includes a variety of favourites, including the feast sticky ribs, creamy fish pie, garlic prawns with crusty bread, and the rosemary and pepper crusted sirloin steak. Its hours of operation, reviews, and booking policies are presented.
http://www.feast.je/
Located near the Mont Orgueil Castle and the harbour at Gorey, the hotel specialises in organising tailor made holidays, romantic breaks, celebrations and corporate functions. Its rooms, restaurant, bistro and terrace are highlighted, and its tariffs, special offers, and contact data are presented, and guests may book a room online.
http://www.themooringshotel.com/
The official web site of the Channel Island of Jersey's parish of St. Martin presents notices and bulletins, operating hours for the parish offices, and access to various documents and forms. Other features include rates information, and a guide to places of worship, clubs and associations in the parish.
https://parish.gov.je/StMartin/Pages/default.aspx
The solid surface fabricators and cabinet makers are based in Rue de la Solitude in the parish of St. Martin, Jersey. Its domestic and commercial products are featured, with photographs and product descriptions, along with information about their design capabilities and services.
https://www.somerville.je
Based in the parish of St. Martin, St. Catherine's is the largest dinghy sailing club on the island of Jersey, and the most southerly sailing club in Britain. Its site includes a calendar, racing and event information, race results, sailing courses, key people, club policies, and membership information.
http://www.scsc.org.je/
St. Martin's Methodist Chapel is a typical 19th century, 300-seat building, constructed in 1851, and located near the heart of the northeastern parish of St. Martin in the Channel Island of Jersey. A profile of the building and the congregation are presented, with a schedule of services, church calendar, photographs and notices.
http://stmartinsjersey.org.uk
Set in the Parish of St. Martin’s, the school is a non-selective, inclusive one-form entry parish school, catering to children with a wide range of needs. Its location, staff and administrative contacts, policies, learning methods, and a school newsletter are posted, along with statistical information about the school.
http://www.stmartin.sch.je/
