St Michael on the Mount Without facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Michael on the Mount Without |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Bristol |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°27′26″N 2°35′54″W / 51.457199°N 2.598424°W |
| Completed | 15th century |
The Mount Without, once known as the Church of St Michael on the Mount Without, is a special building in Bristol, England. It used to be a church but is now a lively place for creative events. You can find it on St Michael's Hill, close to the University.
This building is very important, so it's listed as a Grade II* listed building. This means it has special historical or architectural value. For a while, it was in poor condition and on a list of buildings needing help. The tower of the building is quite old, built in the mid-15th century. However, most of the church was rebuilt later, between 1775 and 1777, by a person named Thomas Paty.
The church stopped being used for religious services in 1999. Sadly, it was badly damaged by a fire in 2016. But don't worry! It was completely fixed up between 2019 and 2020. Now, it's open again as a unique place for people in Bristol and beyond to gather and enjoy creative activities.
Contents
What is The Mount Without's History?
The very first church on this spot was built a long, long time ago, during the Norman period. Because it was built outside the old city walls, it got its name "St Michael on the Mount Without." The tall tower you see today was added in the 15th century. Bells were put into the tower in 1739.
By the 1760s, more and more people were living in Bristol. This meant the church needed to be bigger. An expert named Thomas Paty checked the old building. He said it was "ruinous," which means it was falling apart. So, everything except the old tower was taken down and rebuilt. The new church had a main hall (called a nave) with side sections (called aisles), a special area for the altar (called a chancel), and porches on the north and south sides. The old tower stayed on the west side.
How Was the Church Damaged?
During World War II in 1941, the church was hit. Fire bombs caused a fire that destroyed the roof. Even though it was badly damaged, people thought it could be repaired.
The church closed its doors in 1999 because fewer people were attending services. For many years, it was boarded up. Ivy grew on some of its walls, and overgrown trees cast shadows over it. People came up with many ideas for what the church could be used for next. Around 2016, a group called the Bristol Civic Society worked with the Diocese of Bristol to find a good, long-term use for the building. They even asked for money from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help with the first steps of the work.
What Are Colston Buns?
There was a fun tradition at this church: on Easter Tuesday, large buns were given out to local children. These buns were known as Colston buns or Tuppenny Starvers. Even after the church closed, this tradition continued at the local primary school.
What Happened in 2016?
In October 2016, the building caught fire again. Reports said the roof collapsed. Fifteen fire engines from Avon Fire and Rescue Service came to put out the blaze. The fire service later said that the fire was started on purpose.
In October 2017, the building was put up for sale. In 2019, a local businessman named Norman Routledge bought it. He wanted to fix it up and turn it into a place for performances and events. Today, the venue is doing very well, hosting many interesting arts events.
Archives
Important historical papers for the church of St Michael on the Mount Without are kept at Bristol Archives. These include records of baptisms, marriages, and burials. You can also find records about the church leaders, churchwardens, and other groups connected to the church. There are also old deeds, plans, and pictures.
See also
- Churches in Bristol
- Grade II* listed buildings in Bristol
