A definitive history of Torteval Parish Church

Did you know that

· the church is the newest of the Island’s 10 parish churches, replacing a medieval church which fell into disrepair.

· the cost of its construction was paid for principally by the States of Guernsey.

· it has a bell dated 1432 which is the oldest in the Channel Islands.

· few churches have round towers and even fewer also have a conical spire.

The book was written by David Robilliard MBE, who has been church warden for 35 years. He says:

“I have always been fascinated with the church and its history. Over the years have accumulated a wide range of information about the building itself and the people who have been involved with the church – and I wanted to make that available more widely.”

As Bailiff Sir Richard McMahon says in his introduction:

“This is a very readable account of those linked with Saint Philippe de Torteval over the years, exploring the history of the church of Guernsey’s least populous parish.

I congratulate David for the manner in which his ‘miscellany of information’ is presented and encourage everyone to read it to understand the importance for each parish, whatever its size, of its Anglican church.”

Torteval Parish Church – Place and People is published by Blue Ormer and will be launched on 7 March 2026, with a book signing at Torteval Parish Hall between from 4.00p.m. After this is will be available from local shops (including The Lexicon, Writer’s Block, Guernsey Museum) – as well as online from blueormer.gg.

About the author:  David Robilliard MBE 

David has resided in Torteval all his life and, for most of that time, has attended the parish church. He was educated at Torteval, Forest and Boys’ Grammar Schools. David was employed in the finance industry for some 13 years before becoming a civil servant, his last appointment being Secretary to the Bailiff. In 2018 he was elected as a Jurat of the Royal Court and in 2024 was awarded an MBE for services to the Church and the Bailiwick of Guernsey.