St Peter and St Paul, Bristol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Peter and St Paul, Bristol |
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St Peter and St Paul, Bristol
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Bristol |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°27′56″N 2°34′22″W / 51.465491°N 2.572850°W |
The Church of St Peter and St Paul, Bristol is a special place of worship. It is the main church for the Greek Orthodox community in Bristol, England. You can find this historic church on Lower Ashley Road.
Contents
What is a Greek Orthodox Church?
A Greek Orthodox church belongs to a very old branch of Christianity. It follows traditions and practices that have been around for centuries. The Greek Orthodox Church is a big part of the lives of many people from Greece and other countries. They have their own leaders and ways of celebrating religious events.
History of the Church Building
Early Days as St Simon's
The building we now know as St Peter and St Paul was built a long time ago. Construction started in the 1840s. Back then, it was known as the Church of St Simon. It was designed by architects S.J. Hicks and S.B. Gabriel.
The original church had a main hall called a nave. It also had a special area for the altar, known as a chancel. There was also a north aisle and a small chapel.
The Spire's Story
When it was first built, the church had a very tall spire. This spire reached about 121 feet (37 meters) into the sky! However, over time, the spire became unsafe. To keep everyone safe, it had to be made shorter.
The Greek Community in Bristol
Sailors and New Beginnings
The Greek Orthodox community in Bristol started to grow in the 1800s. Many Greek sailors arrived in the city's busy port. They came for trade and work, and some decided to make Bristol their home. As more Greek people settled, they needed a place to worship.
Finding a Home
For many years, the Greek community held their church services in other churches. They often used Anglican churches, especially the Temple of St Simon. This happened a lot during the 1950s and 1960s.
In 1963, the Church of St Simon was given a new name. It was renamed for the Apostles St Peter and St Paul. Then, in 1978, the Greek Orthodox church officially bought the building. This gave the Greek community a permanent home for their worship.
Unique Features of the Church
The Churchyard Wall
The wall around the churchyard has a very interesting feature. It is built with special blocks called copper-slag. Copper slag is a leftover material from making copper. It looks a bit like dark, glassy rock.
This same unusual material was also used to build another famous Bristol landmark. It was used to construct the Black Castle Public House. This shows how people in the past used materials that were available to them.
