St Philip and St Jacob, Bristol

St Philip and St Jacob stands as Bristol's oldest place of Christian worship, featuring architectural elements from the 13th century including parts of the original chancel and tower, with later additions reflecting centuries of continuous development and religious use.

Originally established around 900 AD as a small Benedictine priory, the church was reconstructed with contributions from Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, and survived near-destruction during the English Civil War when orders for demolition were issued but ultimately prevented.

The church became a leading evangelical congregation in 1963 and played a central role in the charismatic revival movement of the 1970s, hosting prominent Methodist preachers like John Wesley and George Whitefield during the 18th century.

The church operates under Bristol Diocese jurisdiction with parish records including baptism, marriage, and burial registers dating back to 1576 preserved at Bristol Archives, providing valuable genealogical resources for family history research.

Known locally as 'Pip 'n' Jay', the church narrowly avoided conversion into a potato factory in the 1960s and houses eight bells cast in 1738 by William Bilbie, maintaining its active parish status today under the leadership of Reverend Tim Jones.

Location: City of Bristol

Inception: 13 century

Architects: Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester

Website: http://bristolcentral.com

GPS coordinates: 51.45500,-2.58499

Latest update: July 23, 2025 15:16