Channel Islands Church History

Channel Islands

Until the reign of Elizabeth I, the Channel Islands formed two rural deaneries in the archdeaconry of the Bauptois in the diocese of Coutances. But as communication with the Norman mainland was often difficult, the deans of Jersey and Guernsey were made special commissaries of the bishop, and dealt with many matters which would normally have gone to the bishop's court. The Islands were transferred from Countances to Winchester in 1564 and from that time on the Roman Catholic Church lost its influence over the islands.

A number of the nonconformist sects were able to establish churches on the islands.