THE GLASS CHURCH

Jersey

Near St. Helier on the Island of Jersey stands an unremarkable looking white-washed church. It might even be said the exterior of the building is ugly, but it hides something quite spectacular. The first clue to the secret of St. Matthew's Church is the panels in the exterior door with some rather attractive art-deco glasswork.  Once inside the foyer the glasswork becomes more showy, large illuminated glass flowers.  The style suddenly becomes familiar from watching the antiques roadshow ... this is the work of René Lalique, the famed glassworker who, it turns out, lived on Jersey for a few years.

The work in the church was commissioned by Lady Trent.  Once inside the church proper the glasswork becomes quite spectacular, a massive glass cross dominates the altar and in the side chapel the four "angels" - very clearly art-deco angels - are quite wonderful (see picture above). It is certainly worth having a look at the church if you're in Jersey, if nothing else because you're unlikely to see another church with furnishings quite like this.

Photo - Andrew J. Müller

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© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions and Andrew J. Müller, Roy Barton
and Shaun Runham
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2001