Although Methodism was founded in England in 1738, it did not arrive in Jersey until some thirty-six years later via Canada. Links between Jersey and England were few at the time but a thriving trade founded on the cod fisheries in Newfoundland meant that many sailed from this Island across the Atlantic on a regular basis. The preaching of Lawrence Coughlan an English missionary working amongst the fishing communities influenced two men, Pierre Le Sueur and Jean Tentin.
The early Methodists in the Island had a difficult life. Because of his beliefs, Pierre Le Sueur was opposed by his family, and his business partner left him. Business declined and he was left with few friends. Despite these setbacks Pierre and Jean continued to witness and began to find new friends and the work began to grow. Several preachers travelled from England to Jersey to work but as the Island language was French, local translators were used. As the church grew, a long disused Catholic church at Havre Des Pas was purchased and renovated. Despite the growth there was a lot of hostility towards Methodists, with meetings being disrupted by stone throwing and damage to property.
As the English language became more popular in Jersey the Methodist Church was split into two, the English Circuit and the French Circuit. Later other groups, such as the Primitive Methodists, appeared.
The period from 1790 to 1912 saw forty-two Methodist churches built in the Island. This church, formally known as Grove Place Wesleyan Chapel, was built in 1847 with a seating capacity of 1,450 and was part of the French Circuit. The total cost of construction was £8,000, which took thirty-four years to raise.
In 1902 the gallery was altered and the present mahogany rostrum, incorporating the original pulpit, was constructed. The ceiling was panelled and stained glass windows replaced the original plain glass. Electric lighting was not installed until 1932 at a cost of £86.
In 1956 the congregations of the Wesley Street Chapel and Grove Place Chapel amalgamated on this site and the name changed to 'The Methodist Church, Wesley Grove'. By this time all the Methodist Churches had formed a single group.
In 1992 the congregations of the two remaining Methodist Churches in St. Helier amalgamated at Aquila Road Methodist Church, renamed 'St. Helier Methodist Centre', whilst this site was redeveloped to produce the building seen today.
Plans were not passed until late in 1997 and work commenced in July 1998. The pews in the worship centre were removed to allow for the use of chairs, which can be rearranged to suit varying needs. Buildings were demolished to create the east wing incorporating a new kitchen, vestibule, hall and office space on the ground floor, with meeting rooms and toilets on the first floor. The floor of the large basement hall was raised by one and a half metres and converted for use as a youth area and a day nursery.
The old manse at the rear, renamed 'The Ruby Ferguson House', was converted into meeting rooms and two units of living accommodation. The front railings and gates were removed to create a more inviting entrance and reused at the rear of the west walkway. A lift was installed, together with ramps, to allow disabled access to the worship centre.
The congregation moved into the redeveloped premises, now called 'St. Helier Methodist Centre', in August 2000. The completed project cost £2,000,000.