The most beautiful religious buildings Guernesey

This chapel, tiny as its name suggests, was built between 1914 and 1923. Its builder, Brother Déodat, wanted to build a replica of the Lourdes basilica. He was a member of the Brothers of St. John Baptist de la Salle congregation, a great founder of schools and of an order known in France as the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Déodat also created several schools in the large building above the chapel, thanks to donations from Catholic communities in Europe and even America, who supported the work. The chapel, however, took him 3 tries. The first chapel, deemed ugly, was demolished. The second couldn't even accommodate the bishop and his retinue who came to consecrate it. The third is just as small (5 m x 3 m, 2.75 m high) and just as unattractive, though well worth the detour and highly original, with its interior and exterior lining of shells, pebbles and locally-colored porcelain.

It has its own crypt and a grotto of the Notre-Dame de Lourdes type. It has never been consecrated, except perhaps to the British Crown, judging by the portraits of Queen Victoria, Edward VII and George V on the walls.

Today, a foundation has been set up to maintain the edifice, after having completely restored it. This highly photogenic tourist site makes a pleasant detour during your visit to the island. Remember to leave a small donation to help conserve the chapel.

This late 14th century chapel is dedicated to Saint Apolline. According to the Book of Saints, the deaconess of Alexandria (who died in 249) threw herself into the pyre that had been prepared for her, rather than deny Christ. Legend has it that they even pulled out all her teeth. No wonder she is the patron saint of dentists! The chapel was abandoned and became a stable. The frescoes that it seems to have sheltered were destroyed. The State bought it in 1973 and undertook its restoration. It was returned to its original purpose in 1978.

It's the largest church in the countryside, and the one that most closely resembles the Town Church of Saint-Peter-Port. Its location is quite impressive, overlooking a deep valley dotted with megaliths, including a Christianized menhir. The shape of a cross has been deeply incised into it. Also on display are leather mugs dating from 1830, which were used for collecting money. The poor box dates from the ^17th century.

Torteval's first church was demolished in 1816. It is possible that a sacred fountain once stood on this site. As the parish's resources were limited, its inhabitants were unable to contribute as much as they had hoped to keep the building in good repair. The States of Guernsey subsidized part of the renovation. Originally designed in the "Calvinist" style, the church was later given an "Anglican" appearance, recognizable by its conical spire. Torteval is the only parish to have a medieval bell.

The church of Saint Sampson is the oldest parish church on the island of Guernsey. It was built on the same site where Saint Sampson, one of the first missionaries, came from Dol, in Brittany, in the 550s. It is thus him who gave his name to the parish. The building that we can see today dates from the 12th century. Notice to the walkers, the adjoining cemetery is very beautiful, especially in autumn.

This church is part of the domain of the six churches offered to the abbots of Mont-Saint-Michel at the beginning of the first millennium. Its first reference dates back to 1048. This one dates from the 13th century, even if the nave and the porch were built in the 15th century and are therefore of Gothic architecture. The north wing that doubles the nave is a "baroque" addition from the 18th century. Inside the church, you can see the two stone benches on which the parish council used to stand, and a baptistery. A must-see when passing through Saint-Martin.

Saint Peter Port owes its name to its parish church, commonly called Town Church. It was built around 1042. It was often reworked and completed in 1475. This church with its thick walls served as a refuge for the population during pirate incursions. The walls bear plaques commemorating the courage of the country's sailors and soldiers. You will see funerary monuments where famous Guernseymen are buried, such as the famous privateer Nicholas Le Mesurier, who died in 1759.