This fine late Victorian granite church and hall has been open for worship for well over 100 years and was built upon land donated by a Mr. Philip Le Riche, owner of Ebenezer Farm which has now become the Highfield Country Apartments.
In the closing decade of the 18th Century the Methodists in Jersey were subjected to severe harassment by the civil authorities. Many male members of parish societies were arrested and condemned to prison because of their conscientious objection to Militia training on Sundays, which was required due to the perceived threat of invasion.The first victim of this form of persecution was Charles Blampied of Trinity. It was during these difficult times that ‘cottage meetings’ sprang up in the Parish. In 1809 Philip Le Riche offered part of his premises which were converted into a meeting house for 120 people. The Methodist Society in Trinity was now established. In 1826 the foundations of a chapel were laid on land given by Philip Le Riche and in six months the Chapel was opened.
As the congregation expanded the foundations of the present church were laid in 1892 and it was opened for worship in 1894.
Thomas Messervy had brought a stone from the ruins of the Temple in Jerusalem and presented it to be placed in one of the walls of the new church. In fact Ebenezer means ‘Stone of help’.
At the front of the church are the choir stalls with a magnificent organ. In 1920 a three day bazaar was held to raise money for this new facility in the church. This valiant effort by members of the congregation raised the magnificent sum of £1,000, a vast amount for that time. Now in 2015 that equates to £45,000 ! The organ was in use by 1923 and built in memory of Emile Benest who had been organist at Ebenezer for at least twenty years and died during the Great Flu epidemic of 1919. Also, in the church is a marble plaque in memory of Mr. Philippe Le Vesconte who was Constable of the Parish for two terms. After retiring he became a Trustee of the Church, Trust Secretary from 1883 to 1891 and Trust Treasurer from 1891 to 1909.
The Le Vesconte granite monument near the Parish hall was erected in his memory.
The windows of the church were donated by various families from the congregation and present members of these families are still part of the congregation today.
On the first Sunday of September 1939 a senior member of the church announced that war with Germany had begun. Throughout the occupation years the church was a great source of strength to all who worshipped there. In fact, in 1942 a young Russian slave worker who had escaped from the labour camp found refuge with a family who lived at Crown Lodge. This young Russian came to worship at Ebenezer every Sunday until the end of the Occupation. When Liberation came in 1945 all the slave workers were sent to England and after six weeks they were then sent back to their homeland.
His presence was greatly missed as he had become part of the church family at Ebenezer.
During the latter part of the 20th century the vestibule at the front of the church was remodelled to give more space and the beautiful internal stained glass window was donated by a family from our congregation.