History
Wesley Methodist Church
My earliest memories of Wesley, called a chapel in those days, are of being taken along by my brothers and sister, to Wesley Sunday School, situated at the Longstore, facing Petit Bouet. The entrance was in Bouillon Lane. It was not an expensive building, and became too small for our needs, at that time. In the Grand Bouet was Elim, it was in the English Circuit, there being two circuits, French and English. Wesley was in the French. I remember learning my Sunday school lessons in French, singing French hymns and hearing French sermons, of which I understood very little. For later years the two circuits joined into one, as we now know it. Elim was in a poor state at that time, and Wesley was invited to take it over This took place in 1916, when the congregation and Sunday School progressed from the Longstore to Elim, headed by the wind instruments of the orchestra, and carrying the banner, which is still in existence. The name Elim was changed to Wesley as it is still. There are two dates over the main door- one when it was built and one when Wesley took over…1870-1916
There were two or three families of Keyho’s, and all musical hence a choir of 52 voices and an orchestra. Mr. John Keyho was organist & choirmaster for over 50 years- and was he strict! For many years we only had a harmonium, but he wished for a pipe organ, so we all worked hard, and was able to purchase the organ we now have, second hand, and is used every Sunday. The choir was in existence until the Second World War, but with the changes the war bought it has never been reformed. The congregation is sadly depleted, but with “The Boys’ Brigade,” ” The Girls’ Brigade,” a good Sunday school, we survive. We also have a Women’s meeting, which has been held every Tuesday afternoon since 1924. Throuout the war years it was kept going with the help of the Salvation Army, who used the premises, not being able to use their uniforms. There is a ladies Group held on Tuesday evenings, all of whom are always ready to help when needed. We have had many changes over the years, and are awaiting more. By the grace of God we hope Wesley will stand for many more years. ” We will praise him for all that is past, and trust him for all that is to come.”
Mrs Elsie Baker MBE
History of Wesley Methodist Church
The first building to be called “Wesley Chapel” was built at the Bouet, Longstore
The Chapel was opened on the 25th April 1835; the dedication service was conducted by Daniel Robin, I. M. Philippe Tourgis who preached in French, also John Nelson who preached in English.
By the year 1892 the Chapel had become almost a ruin and it was decided to put a new building on the exact site as the old one.
Four people were asked to take part in the laying of foundation stones, this was done on the 7th July 1892 by Rev M Gallienne, Mme. Veuve Thomas Bichard, Mlle. Marie Martel, and Mr John Keyho, each were given a good quality trowel as a souvenir.
On Thursday 3rd November 1892 the new “Wesley Chapel” was dedicated.
During the time of the building of the new “Wesley Chapel” the congregation attended Elim Chapel in the Grand Bouet.
It is interesting to note that a contract was passed on the 22nd May 1862 that all services should be in French
In 1916 Elim Chapel was given to the French circuit, and became known as “Wesley Chapel” as the Longstore building was inadequate for the work.
It is good to place on record that Mr. John Keyho was Organist and Choirmaster at Wesley 1874-1932
Wesley Sunday School was established on the 21st January 1839
To effect the change over, the Sunday School and Congregation walked in procession from the Longstore to Elim Grand Bouet, behind the banner which read “Ecole Wesley 1839” the move necessitated a new Trust, and the Wesley Trustees, together with a few of the Elim Trustees met for the first meeting on the 14th August 1916
All this information concerning the Chapel was brought to light as a result of Mrs E Nichols giving me a trowel with the following inscription “Chapple Wesley” pose des pores 7th Juillet 1982 Mme. T Bichard
This received publicity in the Guernsey Evening Press, and on receiving a copy Rev David Le Poidevin, stationed in Somerset delved into “Methodisme Wesleyen dans les Isles de la Manche” also in “La Magasin Methodiste 1892”
The Banner Mentioned above is still in existence at Wesley Chapel
We are very grateful to Rev. Le Poidevin for all the information about Wesley Chapel
John P Baker
22nd March 1982