However, the trustees of the 159-year-old building have now agreed that the Christian Portuguese Mission – the only Jersey church other than the Catholic Church that conducts worship in Portuguese – can use the historic building in exchange for refurbishing it.
Members of the congregation and friends of the church are now working tirelessly to get the listed building into shape in time for its opening this summer.
They include the chairman of the building’s trustees, 84-year-old John Vasselin, who is using his experience as a retired building contractor to restore the floor.
Vice-treasurer Rosemary Le Breton said that around 100 people had attended an open day on Monday to see the spectacular building and the work being done.
• Pictures: Rob Currie
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