Bristol Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bristol Cathedral |
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| Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity | |
The west front of Bristol Cathedral
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 Bristol Cathedral
Location in Bristol
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| 51°27′06″N 2°36′03″W / 51.4517°N 2.6007°W | |
| Location | Bristol |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Central/High church |
| Website | bristol-cathedral.co.uk |
| History | |
| Consecrated | 11 April 1148 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed building |
| Designated | 8 January 1959 |
| Style | Norman, Gothic, Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1220–1877 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 300 feet (91 m) |
| Nave length | 125 feet (38 m) |
| Width across transepts | 29 feet (8.8 m) |
| Nave height | 52 feet (16 m) |
| Choir height | 50 feet (15 m) |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Worcester (until 1541) Gloucester (1541–43) Bristol (1543–1836) Gloucester and Bristol (1836–1897) Bristol (1897–present) |
| Province | Canterbury |
Bristol Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, is a famous Church of England cathedral. It is located in the city of Bristol, England. This important building is where the Bishop of Bristol has their main church.
The cathedral started as an abbey dedicated to St Augustine. It was founded in 1140 and officially opened in 1148. Later, in 1542, it became a cathedral for the new diocese of Bristol. This happened after many monasteries were closed down. Today, it is a special listed building because of its history and design.
The oldest parts of the cathedral are from the late 12th century. This includes the chapter house, which has some of the first pointed arches in England. The eastern part of the church is medieval. The oldest section there is the early 13th-century Elder Lady Chapel. The rest of the east end was rebuilt in the 14th century. It was designed in the Decorated Gothic style, like a "hall church." This means its side aisles are as tall as the central area.
In the 15th century, the transepts (the arms of the cross-shaped church) were rebuilt. A central tower was also added. The main part of the church, called the nave, was not finished when the abbey closed in 1539. It was later taken down. A new nave was built in the 19th century by George Edmund Street. It was designed in the Gothic Revival style, similar to the original plans. The two towers at the west end were finished in 1888. They were designed by John Loughborough Pearson.
Besides its amazing architecture, the cathedral has many memorials. It also has a historic organ. Not much of the original stained glass remains. Some was replaced in the Victorian era. More glass was lost during the Bristol Blitz in World War II.
Contents
History of Bristol Cathedral
Bristol Cathedral has a long and interesting past. It started as an abbey and grew into the grand building we see today.
How the Cathedral Began: 12th Century
Bristol Cathedral began as St Augustine's Abbey in 1140. It was founded by Robert Fitzharding. He was a rich local landowner. The abbey was home to Augustinian canons, who were a type of religious community.
The first abbey church was built between 1140 and 1148. It was in the Romanesque style, also known as Norman architecture in England. Some old writings suggest that St Augustine of Canterbury visited this site in 603 CE. This means it was a religious place for a very long time.
The dedication ceremony for the abbey was on April 11, 1148. Important bishops from nearby areas attended. Between 1148 and 1164, more stone buildings were added. The chapter house and the abbey gatehouse are two examples that still stand today. The chapter house is known as one of the best Norman chapter houses still existing.
In 1154, King Henry II gave the abbey more land and money. This was a reward to Robert Fitzharding for his support. By 1170, enough of the new church was ready for another dedication ceremony.
Building in the 13th Century
Under Abbot David (1216–1234), new construction began. Around 1220, a chapel for the Blessed Virgin Mary was built. This chapel, called the "Elder Lady Chapel," is still there today. The architect for this part might have been Adam Lock, who also worked on Wells Cathedral.
Later, Abbot Hugh (starting 1280) helped improve the abbey's finances. This allowed for more building work.
Changes from the 14th to 16th Centuries
A big rebuilding project started under Abbot Edward Knowle (1306–1332). The eastern part of the abbey church was rebuilt in the beautiful Decorated Gothic style. He also rebuilt other parts, like the cloisters and dining room.
The Black Death likely affected the monastery. Many canons died. This led to financial problems. But in the mid-15th century, the number of canons grew again. The transept and central tower were then built.
Abbot John Newland (1481–1515) started rebuilding the main part of the church, the nave. However, it was not finished when the Dissolution of the Monasteries happened in 1539. During this time, King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries in England.
The unfinished nave was taken down. The eastern part of the church was closed for a short time. In June 1542, King Henry VIII made the building a cathedral. It became the main church for the new Diocese of Bristol. The new cathedral was named the Holy and Undivided Trinity. Paul Bush became the first Bishop of Bristol.
The 19th Century and New Additions
In 1831, during the Bristol Riots, a crowd broke into the Chapter House. They destroyed many old records. But the church itself was saved from damage.
For a period, Bristol Cathedral was a joint cathedral with Gloucester. This lasted from 1836 to 1897.
In the 19th century, there was a renewed interest in old English architecture. This was called the Gothic Revival. A new nave was added to the cathedral between 1868 and 1877. It was designed by George Edmund Street. He tried to match the style of the older eastern end. This new nave replaced houses that had been built on the old nave's site.
The rebuilding was paid for by public donations. Many people and groups in Bristol contributed. The new nave opened on October 23, 1877. The two towers at the west front, designed by John Loughborough Pearson, were finished in 1888.
Some statues on the north porch caused controversy. The Dean, Gilbert Elliot, had them removed without telling the architect. This caused a big stir, and the sculptor, James Redfern, was very upset. The committee resigned, and the Dean and Chapter had to finish the work.
Some of the bells in the north-west tower were made in 1887. Older bells from the 18th century and even 1658 are also present.
20th Century and Modern Times
More bells were added to the north-west tower in the 20th century. They came from the ruins of Temple Church after it was bombed in World War II.
In 1994, a special ceremony took place at Bristol Cathedral. It was for the first 32 women to become priests in the Church of England.
More recently, the cathedral has discussed its connections to Edward Colston. He was a wealthy person in the 17th century who gave money to Bristol. However, his wealth came from his involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. Because of this, the cathedral has made changes to services and memorials related to him. For example, a stained glass window dedicated to Colston was covered in 2020. It is planned to be removed later. This decision came after public discussions about his legacy.
Architecture of Bristol Cathedral
Bristol Cathedral is a listed building because of its amazing architecture. It shows many different building styles from various time periods. The eastern part of the church, built in the 14th century, is considered one of the most interesting structures in England.
| Feature | Size |
|---|---|
| Total length (outside) | 300 feet (91 m) |
| Total length (inside) | 284 feet (87 m) |
| Length of nave | 125 feet (38 m) |
| Width (including aisles) | 69 feet (21 m) |
| Length of transept | 115 feet (35 m) |
| Width of transept | 29 feet (8.8 m) |
| Height to vault in nave | 52 feet (16 m) |
| Height to vault in choir | 50 feet (15 m) |
| Area | 22,556 square feet (2,095.5 m2) |
Most of the medieval stone used in the cathedral came from local quarries. Limestone from Dundry and Felton was used. Bath stone was also used in some areas. The outside of the cathedral has strong buttresses and crenellated walls.
What is a Hall Church?
The eastern part of Bristol Cathedral is very special. It was designed as a "hall church." This means that the side aisles are the same height as the central choir. This style is common in Germany but rare in Britain. Bristol Cathedral is the most important example of this style in England.
Because of this design, there are no high windows (called clerestory windows) to light the central space. All the light comes from the very large windows in the aisles. This makes the inside of the cathedral feel wide and open. The famous architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner said that the choir of Bristol Cathedral is amazing. He thought it showed some of the best design in England or Europe for its time.
The choir has wide arches that support the beautiful vaulting (curved ceiling). These might have been designed by Thomas Witney or William Joy. The choir is separated from the eastern Lady Chapel by a 14th-century reredos (decorated screen behind the altar).
Unique Vaulting Designs
Another unique feature of Bristol Cathedral is its vaulting. The work done under Abbot Knowle is very special. It has not one, but three unique vault designs.
In a vaulted roof, stone ribs usually spring from columns. There's often a main rib along the top, called a ridge rib. Sometimes, shorter ribs, called "lierne" ribs, connect the main ribs. At Bristol, these lierne ribs are used in a very early and unusual way. There is no ridge rib. Instead, the lierne ribs create patterns that extend along the center of the choir roof. This reflects light from the large east window. From the nave, you can see the detailed patterns of the east window reflected in the tower vault.
The two aisles of the choir also have unique vaults. They feature open arches and ribs above stone bridges.
Eastern Lady Chapel
The 13th-century East Lady Chapel is built from red sandstone. Its Early English style makes it stand out. It has a vaulted ceiling and windows supported by Blue Lias shafts. Much of the chapel is decorated with carved leaves, known as "stiff-leaf" style.
When G. E. Street designed the 19th-century nave, he followed the style of the older Gothic choir. From a distance, it's hard to tell that the nave was built much later. Street made sure the inside respected the delicate details of the older parts. The nave has a traditional vault with tierceron ribs, rising to the same height as the choir. The aisle vaults also echo the medieval chancel, using open vaulting above stone bridges.
Special Features Inside
The cathedral has two unusual monuments called the Berkeley memorials. They are set into wall niches with unique canopies. The screen designed by Pearson in 1905 has similar arches.
West Front
Unlike many English Gothic cathedrals, Bristol's west front has a rose window above the main entrance. The details are clearly English, similar to Wells Cathedral and York Minster.
Chapter House
The old Norman chapter house is south of the transept. It features some of the first pointed arches in England. It also has rich carvings with many Romanesque patterns. These designs are similar to the abbey gatehouse, suggesting they were built around the same time in the 12th century.
You enter the chapter house through a vaulted room. This room has pointed arches that solve its rectangular shape. The chapter house itself has a ribbed vault that is about 7.5 meters (25 feet) high. The ribs, walls, and columns are covered in complex carved patterns like zigzags.
The chapter house has 40 seats along its walls. It was once the meeting room for the abbey community. In 1714, it became a library. In 1831, it was damaged during riots and needed a lot of repair. During repairs in 1832, a Saxon stone panel was found underneath the floor. This panel shows the Harrowing of Hell. This discovery suggests there was a church or shrine on this site even before the abbey was founded in 1140.
Stained Glass Windows
The east window in the Lady Chapel was mostly replaced in the mid-19th century. However, it still has some 14th-century stained glass pieces. These include old heads and symbols. Some early glass is also part of the Tree of Jesse window.
During the restoration led by Street, much of the new glass was made by Hardman & Co.. This includes the rose window at the west end.
Some of the newest stained glass was made by Bristol artist Arnold Wathen Robinson. This was after damage during the Bristol Blitz in World War II. These windows show local Civil Defence workers from World War II. They include people from St. John Ambulance, the Red Cross, police, and fire services. The newest glass is an abstract design of the Holy Spirit from 1965.
A Victorian window dedicated to Edward Colston was covered in June 2020. This was due to his involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. The Diocese of Bristol decided to remove other dedications to Colston as well.
Decoration, Monuments, and Burials
The south transept holds an important old Saxon stone panel. It shows the Harrowing of Hell. This carving is from before the Norman Conquest, around 1050. It was found under the Chapter House floor after a fire in 1831.
The main altar has a stone screen (reredos) from 1899. The choir stalls are mostly from the late 19th century. They have 28 misericords (small seats) from 1515 to 1526. These carvings often show scenes from Aesop's Fables. In the Berkeley chapel, there is a very rare candelabrum from 1450.
Many important people are buried or remembered in the cathedral. These include several abbots and bishops. For example, Abbot John Newland (died 1515) has a stone figure in the Lady Chapel. The first Bishop of Bristol, Paul Bush (died 1558), also has a tomb.
The Berkeley family, who were early supporters of the abbey, have several memorials. These include stone figures of knights from the 13th and 14th centuries.
There are also monuments to important local people from the 17th and 18th centuries. Richard Hakluyt (died 1616), who helped promote English settlements in North America, has a memorial tablet and is shown in stained glass. He was a church official at the cathedral.
More recent memorials include those for the poet Robert Southey (died 1843) and the education reformer Mary Carpenter (died 1877).
In 1994, a plaque was put up to mark the first 32 women ordained as priests in the Church of England. In 2022, this was replaced with a new plaque that lists the names of these women.
Dean and Chapter
The Dean and Chapter are the leaders of the cathedral. As of April 23, 2022, they include:
- Dean – Mandy Ford
- Canon Pastor – Nicola Stanley
- Canon Missioner – Jonnie Parkin
- Diocesan Canon & Bishop's Chaplain – Martin Gainsborough
Music at Bristol Cathedral
The Organ
The main organ was first built in 1685 by Renatus Harris. It cost £500. Over the years, it has been repaired and updated many times. Some original parts, including the case and pipes, are still in the current instrument. This organ was built by J. W. Walkers & Sons in 1907. It is located above the stalls on the north side of the choir. It was restored in 1989 and is currently being restored again in 2024.
Before this main organ, the cathedral had other organs. One was built in 1662 and another in 1630.
Organists
The first known organist of Bristol Cathedral was Thomas Denny in 1542. Famous organists have included the writer and composer Percy Buck. The current Organist is Mark Lee, and the Assistant Organist is Paul Walton.
Choirs
Bristol Cathedral has had a choir since its founding in 1140. The current choir has 28 choristers (singers). This includes 14 boys and 14 girls. They attend Bristol Cathedral Choir School, which is the first government-funded choir school in England. The choir sings daily during term time.
The Bristol Cathedral Consort is a volunteer choir for young people in the city. They sing services twice a month. The Bristol Cathedral Chamber Choir was reformed in 2001. It is directed by the assistant organist, Paul Walton.
Burials in St Augustine's Abbey
Many important people were buried at St Augustine's Abbey, which later became Bristol Cathedral. These include:
- Harding of Bristol
- Robert Fitzharding and his wife Eva
- Several members of the Berkeley family, who were important benefactors.
Other Cathedrals in Bristol
Bristol also has a Roman Catholic cathedral called Clifton Cathedral. The Church of England parish church of St. Mary Redcliffe is also very grand. Visitors sometimes mistake it for a cathedral.
Images for kids
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Original caption: The Cathedral Church of Bristoll South Side'
