Dean of Jersey


The Dean of Jersey is the leader of the Church of England in Jersey. He is ex officio a member of the States of Jersey, although since the constitutional reforms of 1948 the Dean may not take part in parliamentary votes. The Dean acts as the chaplain of the States Assembly and may speak in debates on any matter.
The Dean is appointed by the Crown by means of letters patent and sworn into that office by Jersey's Royal Court. The Dean also serves as rector of one of the Parishes of Jersey and is instituted and inducted in that office by the Bishop of Winchester. Since 1784 it has been customary for the Dean to also be the rector of the Parish Church of St Helier, but this has not always been the case. For example, William Corbet Le Breton, father of Lillie Langtry, was rector of Saint Saviour at the time he became Dean, though transferred to St Helier in 1875.
Since 1661, the Dean of Jersey has a seal of pointed ellipse type. The arms of the deanery impale those of each individual.
The Dean of Jersey presides over the ecclesiastical court.

List of Deans

FromToDean of Jersey
16201645David Bandinel
16451661vacant
16611671Philip Le Couteur
16721714Clement Le Couteur
17141728Thomas Le Breton
17291775Francis Payn
17751802Francis Le Breton
18021823Edouard Dupré
18231837Corbet Hue
18381844Francis Jeune
18501883William Corbet Le Breton
18881906George Orange Balleine
19061937Samuel Falle
19371959Matthew Le Marinel
19591971Alan Stanley Giles
19711985Thomas Goss
19851993Basil O'Ferrall
19932005John Seaford
20052017Bob Key
2017Mike Keirle