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 sits on St Michael's Hill, close to the University. This old church is now a lively place for creative activities.
It is a very important building, listed as a Grade II* historic site. This means it has special historical or architectural value. In 2021, it was on a list of buildings needing care.
The tall tower of the building was built in the mid-1400s. However, most of the church was rebuilt much later, between 1775 and 1777. This work was done by an architect named Thomas Paty.
The church stopped being used for services in 1999. Sadly, a big fire damaged it in 2016. But don't worry! It was completely fixed up between 2019 and 2020. Now, The Mount Without is open again. It is a unique place for people in Bristol and beyond to gather and create.
Contents
History of The Mount Without
The very first church on this spot was built a long, long time ago. It was built in the Norman style, which was popular in England after 1066. Because it was outside the old city walls, it was called St Michael on the Mount Without.
Building Changes Over Time
The church's tower was added in the 1400s. Bells were put into the tower in 1739. By the 1760s, more people lived in Bristol. The church needed to be bigger to hold everyone.
A survey by Thomas Paty found the old building was "ruinous," meaning it was falling apart. So, everything except the tower was taken down. The church was then rebuilt. It had a main hall (nave) with side sections (aisles). It also had a chancel and porches. The old tower remained at the west end.
Damage and Closure
During World War II in 1941, the church was hit. Fire bombs caused a fire that destroyed the roof. Even so, people thought it could be repaired.
The church closed in 1999 because fewer people were attending. For many years, it was boarded up. Ivy grew on some walls, and overgrown trees cast shadows. Different ideas were suggested for what to do with the church. In 2016, a local group worked with the church leaders. They wanted to find a good way to use the building in the future. They even asked for money from a special fund to help with the first repairs.
A Special Tradition
There was a fun tradition at the church. On Easter Tuesday, large buns were given to local children. These buns were known as Colston buns or Tuppenny Starvers. Since the church closed, this tradition has continued at the local primary school.
Fire and Rebirth
In October 2016, the building caught fire again. Reports said the roof collapsed. Fifteen fire engines came to put out the blaze. Firefighters believed the fire was started on purpose.
In October 2017, the building was put up for sale. A local businessman, Norman Routledge, bought it in 2019. He wanted to fix it up and turn it into a place for performances and events.
Remembering Heroes
In 2021, special memorial panels were placed in the crypt of the building. These panels list the names of 842 soldiers. They were from the 6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. These brave soldiers died in the First World War.
The panels were moved to St Michael's during World War II. This happened after their army headquarters was bombed. Amazingly, they survived the 2016 fire. They were found again in 2019. The Archdeacon of Bristol held a special ceremony to honor them.
See also
- Churches in Bristol
- Grade II* listed buildings in Bristol
