St James' Presbyterian Church of England, Bristol facts for kids
St James' Presbyterian Church was a church in Bristol, England. It was also known as the Welsh Congregational Church. This historic building was located in an area of Bristol called The Haymarket, in the St James part of the city.
Contents
History of St James' Church
Building and Destruction
The original St James' Presbyterian Church was built in 1859. It stood for many years as an important part of the community. However, during World War II, the church was sadly destroyed. This happened during a time known as The Blitz, when many cities in Britain were bombed. The church was hit on the evening of November 24, 1940.
After the war, a new church was built. Around 1953, a new St James's Presbyterian Church was constructed in Lockleaze, a different area of Bristol. This new church continued the work of the original congregation.
A Special Meeting at the Church
In 1897, the church hosted an important meeting. This meeting was for the Presbyterian Church of England. They gathered to remember a special event. It was 50 years since Reverend William C. Burns became the church's first missionary to China. He arrived there in 1847 to share his faith.
The leader of this meeting was Reverend H. L. Mackenzie. He spoke about his own experiences. He had spent almost 40 years working at the Presbyterian Church of England's Swatow Mission in China.
What Remains Today
Today, you can still see parts of the old Victorian-era St James' Church. Its remains are located just south of Bristol's main coach station. After being bombed, the church was partly fixed up in 1957. It was used as a small chapel.
The tall tower of the old church still stands. However, the main part of the church, called the nave, has been changed into offices.
The Welsh Chapel
In 1957, a small Welsh Congregational chapel was built using parts of the old church. The tower and lower doors of the original church became walls for a courtyard. This new chapel was designed by Eustace Button, who designed many churches in the area.
The Welsh congregation moved to this new chapel. Their previous chapel in the Castle Street area had also been destroyed by bombing and was not rebuilt. The 1957 chapel was simple, with special seats that could fold up. It also had a wide, open ceiling.
The Welsh Congregation used this chapel until 1988. By then, the hall next to it was in very poor condition. Later, the 1957 chapel and the old Victorian hall were taken down. The historic Victorian tower and doors were kept and included in the new office buildings that were built there.
