The church of St Anne, consecrated in 1850 and built to the design of Sir George Gilbert Scott, is acknowledged to be one of the finest Victorian buildings in the Channel Islands. Scott was one of the most prolific architects of the 19th century and apart from a considerable amount of restoration work on ecclesiastical buildings, including Westminster Abbey, he was also responsible for the Albert Memorial in London, the Foreign Office and the St Pancras Station Hotel.
The church is often referred to as ‘The Cathedral of the Channel Islands’ because of its size, but the original intention was that it should serve not only as a parish church for the island but also as the garrison church for the military stationed here in the mid 19th century; a time when the island was being heavily fortified against any potential threat of invasion by France, only a few miles away.
During WWII the church was cleared and used as a general store by the occupying German forces. A machine gun was mounted in the belfry and some of the walls still display German graffiti carved into the stonework.
Situated in beautiful surroundings and easily accessible from Victoria Street, this stunning church, home of a full peal of 12 bells, is well worth a visit.
Open daily.
Admission: FREE
Also visit the Bell Tower
