Page 1 September 14, 2024
Register for Buildings and Sites of Architectural, Archaeological and Historical Importance in Jersey
St James School, Chapel Lane, St Helier
This report has been prepared by Jersey Heritage as part of its responsibility under a Service Level Agreement to provide reports and recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Environment on the architectural, historical and archaeological significance of buildings and sites.
The assessment and recommendation are made in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings. The report includes the views and advice offered by the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group.
Author of report: Roger Hills BA(Hons) MA DipBldgCons (RICS) IHBC Head of Historic Buildings
Date of report: 25th October 2010
File ref: HE0842
Current status
BLI
Relevant interests of the site
St James School was opened in 1865 adjacent to the church - part of the Church of England’s drive to provide Christian education for the poor in the early and middle years of the 19th century. It is one of the oldest surviving school buildings in the Island – most being built later in response to the 1894 law on compulsory education.
The school is in Gothic Revival style and retains most of its original external form, particularly notable for the quality of the mid-19th century stonemasonry. The building has a C-plan with the principal elevation fronting Chapel Lane. It is single storey with attic and tall projecting gable wings. There are slate pitched roofs. The walls are constructed of coursed squared granite, arranged in decorative bands of alternating pink Mont Mado granite and grey/brown stone. There are ashlar quoins, window and door reveals, dressed stone chimneystacks and a gabled stone lucarne, all in contrasting red/brown granite.
The buildings have Gothic-arched window and door openings in ecclesiastical style – the larger windows with Y-tracery (although most original windows replaced). Original doors survive to the south front. The interior has been substantially remodelled – with only an 1865 mahogany staircase and 1 original paneled door surviving.
The site is bounded on the Chapel Lane side by original 19th century spear finial cast iron railings on a dwarf granite wall, and on the Le Breton Lane side by a tall rubble granite wall.
Advice offered by MRLAG (and others if stated)
MRLAG discussed the site at its meeting on 11th October 2010. Members noted the survival of an original mahogany staircase, but were unanimous that the school be retained as a BLI.
Jersey Heritage recommendation
St James is of historical and architectural interest as one of the oldest surviving schools in the Island, particularly notable for the quality of its mid-19th century stonemasonry. As such it should be retained on the Register as a BLI.
Justification relating to criteria
The registration of St James School as a BLI is in accordance with the existing criteria for assessment and designation of historic buildings. The buildings substantially retain their historic form and detail and so make a significant and positive contribution to the architectural and historical identity, character and amenity of Jersey.
The buildings are of significance for their architectural design and craftsmanship, composition, and use of materials, illustrate significant aspects of Jersey’s social and cultural history, and are of scenic and group value.
Attachments
BLI plan
Historic maps & photographs
Photographs 2010