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It was long believed that the origin of the name 'St Pierre dans le Desert' lay in its deserted location. This is, however, only partly correct. In this part of Western Europe the name 'desert' became attached very early on to places which were special centres of prayer.
In the fourth century many Christians felt called to live a life of withdrawal and prayer in the deserts of Syria and Egypt. As the movement spread to the West, men and women sought out equally deserted places to devote them- selves to prayer. All around these coasts they sought out islands, rocks and other deserted places. The Ile Agois off the north coast is one such place; the place called 'Egypt' may well have been another.
It is clear that the west of the Island was also a centre of prayer. In St Peter, the road 'Rue de l'Ermite' running towards the north side of the Airport points to the dwelling of a former hermit. An 18th century tithes register refers to St Brelade as 'Le desert de St Brelade', and field names area around Port du Val, in particular Les Saints Samsons, would seem to point to a monastic settlement as early as ' the sixth century. Would that more was known about this fascinating past!