Church of the Catholic Parish of Jersey

Catholic Community of Jersey

The Welcome Centre

Housed under one roof in the old School-house next to St Thomas’ church, at 19 Val Plaisant, St Helier, there is to be found:

• A lively café selling coffee, tea cakes, soups, snacks and lunches
• Language classes – English for foreign students, from  beginners through to  advanced
• The Sir John Cheshire Art Gallery, exhibiting paintings by local and international artists
• A shop, selling religious cards and gifts
• Café Memoire – for people with memory problems, carers family and friends

The Centre first opened its doors in February 2004.  The idea of establishing somewhere  to provide a welcome to all, but particularly to those people who were newcomers to the island and perhaps in need of help, was the brainchild of Monsignor Nicholas France, the Catholic Dean in Jersey.  Together with Mrs Antonio Colina and the then Lieutenant Governor, Sir John Cheshire, he set about raising funds to open such a centre, and Antonia’s idea of including an art gallery within it was adopted.  The Welcome Centre,  incorporating the Sir John Cheshire Gallery, was officially opened by Sir John on the 10^th February 2004, with Antonia taking on the role as Centre Manager.

The Welcome Centre continues to develop links with the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, the General Hospital, the St Vincent de Paul Society, the Prison  the Probation Service and other bodies.   There is now a successful alliance with Highlands College in Jersey, and significant numbers of foreign students from Portugal, Poland, Russia, Spain, Brazil, France, Thailand, and Germany are receiving lessons in English to enable them to contribute more effectively to our island’s economy.

Following Mrs Antonia Colina’s retirement, Mrs Manuela Vieira was appointed manager of the Centre in 2010 . Manuela’s vision for the Centre and Gallery is that The Welcome Centre will be a happy welcoming venue.  It is now open seven days a week serving the “best coffee and cakes” in Jersey!

Language classes continue to take place in partnership with Highlands College.

The Repository

The repository in the Welcome Centre offers a wide selection of religious cards and gifts in both English and Portuguese, and proves very popular especially with parents celebrating their child’s First Communion or Confirmation.

The attractive gallery space is available for both local artists and foreign artists to stage exhibitions, and there is space to cater for and entertain visitors.

Please direct all enquiries to Manuela Vieira, tel 01534 767997, or email thewelcomecente@catholicchurch.org.je