In praise of Bristol's churches

Journalist, author and broadcaster MAURICE FELLS knows more than a thing or two about Bristol's churches - here he tells us about Queen Elizabeth I's thoughts on St Mary Redcliffe, the Lord Mayor's Chapel's medical past and more

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BRISTOL has long been known as the 'city of churches.' Some of them stand on sites where Saxons, Celts and Normans once worshipped. From the ancient to the most modern of church buildings, almost each one adds another fascinating chapter to Bristol's history.

Arguably, apart from being places of worship, many could also take on the mantle of being a museum of Bristol for their history is entwined with that of the city's. Although thousands of commuters pass the churches, especially those in the older part of the city each day, many have never been inside. That's why I have written a new book, Churches of Bristol, which looks at everything from unique architectural features, to the stories behind the construction and evolution of the churches.

St James' in the Horsefair claims to be the oldest church in the city. It was founded in 1129 by Robert, Earl of Gloucester, and contains more remains of Norman architecture than any other church in Bristol. Originally it was part of a Benedictine Priory whose grounds stretched from what is now Kingsdown to Broadmead. The story goes that the Earl, who was also building Bristol Castle with stone which was being shipped in from Caen, Normandy, set aside every tenth stone for building St James!

International history was made nearby when John Wesley, founder of Methodism, built the first Methodist chapel in the world in 1739. It still stands at The Horsefair, and today it is home to the original chapel, and a museum of the work that John Wesley and his hymn-writing brother Charles did when they were in Bristol.