St George's Church, Brandon Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St George's Bristol |
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Town or city | Bristol |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°27′15″N 2°36′14″W / 51.4543°N 2.6038°W |
| Construction started | 1821 |
| Completed | 1823 |
St George's Bristol is a famous building in Bristol, England. It used to be a church, but now it's a popular place for music concerts. You can find it on Great George Street, near Park Street, on the side of Brandon Hill. This beautiful building was constructed in the 1820s by a well-known architect named Sir Robert Smirke. It's considered a very important historical building, known as a Grade II* listed building.
Contents
History of St George's
Building a New Church
St George's was built as a church between 1821 and 1823. It was designed by Sir Robert Smirke in a style called Greek Revival. This means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples. It was special because it was one of the "Waterloo churches." These churches received money from the government after the Battle of Waterloo to help build new places of worship. St George's was the only one in Bristol to get this funding.
Becoming a Concert Hall
In 1999, the building had a big makeover. It was changed from a church into a full-time concert venue. This meant it could host many different music events. It reopened in October 1999 with its new name, St George's Bristol.
St George's: A Music Hub
Creating a Music Venue
In 1976, a group called the St George's Music Trust was formed. Their goal was to turn the church into a major concert hall. They succeeded, and it became known as St George's, Brandon Hill. The main part of the building can hold 562 people for concerts. The area downstairs, called the crypt, was turned into a bar and recording studios. These studios are often used by the BBC.
Modern Updates
The renovations in 1999 made many improvements. The old church pews in the main hall were replaced with comfy padded chairs. The pews in the gallery were also made more comfortable for concert-goers. A new box office was added for tickets. The old font, which was used for baptisms, was given to another church nearby, St Mary on the Quay.
What You Can Hear There
St George's Bristol is famous for hosting many types of music. You can hear classical music, jazz, folk, and world music. They also put on opera performances. More than 200 events happen there every year! Many famous artists from around the world have performed at St George's. These include Angela Hewitt, Nicola Benedetti, Julian Lloyd Webber, and Mark Padmore. Big groups like The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment have also played there. Local music groups, both professional and amateur, also perform regularly.
See also
- Churches in Bristol
- Grade II* listed buildings in Bristol
