St Helena has a rich array of historic buildings, including a unique collection of Georgian buildings dating from the 18th and early 19th centuries, mostly located in Jamestown, and a significant number of sites occupied by the remains of batteries or signaling stations: The Trust values these buildings and sites as an invaluable and irreplaceable part of the island’s heritage and character and believes they should be conserved for future generations.

The island boasts the oldest Anglican church in the Southern hemisphere, the present St James’ Church dates back to 1774 but records show that a church or chapel has been on or near this site since the 1500s when the Portuguese first built a chapel in the valley.

During its early history and again when Napoleon was exiled to St Helena, there was a lot of building of fortifications around the coast.

The Trust is represented on the Land Planning & Development Control Agency and is dedicated to the principle of conservation of St Helena’s historic buildings & sites. However, this is not easy as there is no grant system in place to assist the private owners of historic buildings with restoration/maintenance.  The Trust policy on Historic Buildings and Sites can be viewed under…

A useful source on St Helena’s Historic Buildings is

Report by Hugh P Crallan MA Architect May 1974 available from Miles Apart

and on the Fortifications – Ken Denholm’s book South Atlantic Fortress available from the St Helena National Trust – for details contact by e-mail.