History
History of the Vale Church
The church is in the northern part of the parish, which formed a separate island at high tide until the channel was reclaimed in Napoleonic times. Built on a hill, the exact foundation date is unknown. It is supposed the church was built when Guernsey was evangelised in the 6th Century. In the Chancel some Roman bricks have been reused but these might have come from anywhere and not necessarily a previous building on site. Around 968AD the monks from Mont St Michel founded a priory and were granted land.
Rectory grounds occupy the site of the priory buildings. The chancel and base of the tower are assumed to be the oldest parts of the church, followed by the nave but further parts were added in stages during the 13th Century. The influence of the priory is seen in the arches of the monk’s stalls and the addition of stone washbasins for the priests to cleanse the communion vessels and hand washing.
In the Archangels side chapel there is a piscine dated circa 1475-1500. The stained glass window of the Archangels with divided sections is of the 15th Century design but the glass is from the 1860’s. In the arch above the pulpit is a carved dog’s head, thought to be the stonemasons own mark.
From 1876 to 1904 there was considerable change to the interior including re-seating, early stained glass windows, the bells and clock, the lectern, organ and mosaic detail behind the altar. Most of the stained glass windows have been given in memory of named parishioners. The tower contains 6 bells, cast in 1891 with a smaller chiming bell, dated 1778. The church clock with chimes was installed in 1897.
