St John on the Wall, Bristol

Address:
Broad Street, Bristol BS1 2EZ
How to find us | Access information
Opening times:
The upper church & the crypt are opened by volunteers, Wednesday 11 - 2pm, Saturdays 11 - 4pm subject to volunteer availability.
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  • Andy Marshall
  • Overview
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A church rising from Bristol's medieval walls

St John's is part of the very fabric of Bristol - it was built into the city walls in the fourteenth century as a place for travellers to offer prayers before a journey. In the twelfth century there were five churches built into Bristol's city walls, acting both as part of the city's defences, and as places for travellers to offer prayers before a journey. St John's is the only one that remains.

As you walk down the slope of Broad Street, the view of the Gothic city gate with the elegant perpendicular spire of St John's rising above, is stunning. The building of St John's coincided with a period of great prosperity for Bristol. Walter Frampton (died 1388), who was mayor of the city three times, founded the church, and his splendid monument stands in the chancel. His effigy lies on a tombchest decorated with heraldic shields, with a long-tailed dog at his feet.

Other monuments in the chancel, and in the early fourteenth century vaulted crypt beneath, testify to the wealth and business activity of the city in medieval times and later. See, for example, the alabaster tomb in the crypt of a merchant and his wife, with their ten children represented in panels below.

The interior of the church is impressively tall and graceful, with fine fittings dating mostly from the seventeenth century. On the north side of the church built into the city wall is a fountain, a branch of a conduit installed to bring water to the Carmelite Friary 700 years ago. It is said that at election times in the past it was sometimes made to run with wine.

You can access a free online audio guide to the church here.

A virtual 360 google tour is available here.

This church costs £4486 a year to maintain. Please make a donation towards its upkeep at visitchurches.org.uk/donate

For further information about this church please contact Philippa Wood, Local Community Officer pwood@thecct.org.uk

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  • Access information

    Church is situated on the junction of Broad Street and Quay Street. Entrance to upper church is on the Broad Street side and entrance to crypt on Quay Street/Nelson Street via a small door. Metered car parking on Broad Street and multiple city centre car parks nearby. Due to the churches location it can not remain unlocked outside of volunteer opening times.

    The Grand Hotel is located nearby and the Guildhall is the closest landmark.

    Steps to the church are worn and steep. The crypt entrance is narrower and lower than a modern door.

  • Disabled access information
    There are three and a bit steps down into the crypt totaling approximately 610mm in height. There is no handrail.
  • Facilities & Hire

    The Upper Church and Crypt are available for hire and are unique and beautiful spaces.

    Due to its historic nature this church has no heating, running water or toilet facilities.

    There is no dedicated parking.

    The maximum capacity of each space is 60.

    For further information on hiring this venue please contact the Regional Office west@thecct.org.uk.

  • Directions
    Tower Lane, bottom of Broad Street at intersection with Nelson Street. Cloest landmark is the Guildhall.
  • Transport

    Close to most city centre bus routes. Bus and coach terminus 0.25 mile.

    Nearest railway station: Bristol Temple Meads (1 mile).

  • History & Further Information

     

    Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church before you visit?

    Download a copy of the church guidebook

    You can access a free online audio guide to the church here.

    A virtual 360 google tour is available here.

    A video introduction to the church presented some of our volunteers is here

    Sacred & Spiritual Bristol

    Bristol can be proud not only of its rich history and seafaring links, but also of its profusion of churches and places to worship. Any visit to Bristol should at least include a glimpse inside some of these remarkable locations that have helped to make Bristol a place of significant religious importance.

    You can discover more about Sacred Bristol by downloading the Sacred Bristol brochure (PDF, 1.7MB), listening to The Bristol Churches Trail MP3 tour or going on the Wesley Walk (PDF, 72KB).

    You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.

    Bristol & Gloucestershire County Guide

    This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches we care for in Cornwall, Devon & Dorset. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.

  • Volunteering Opportunities

    We need more volunteers to help keep this Church open as it cannot be left unattended due to its city centre location

    To find out more about volunteering opportunities at this Church please contact volunteering@thecct.org.uk

  • Community information
    Bristol St John on the Wall Church Plan

    Click here to download a copy of the Church Plan which sets out the shared vision for the future of the church. This is a working document that will be updated on a regular basis. If you have any feedback or if you want to contact us about the church plan please drop us a line. When you write, please do give the name of the church, thank you!

    This church costs £4486 a year to maintain. Please make a donation towards its upkeep. http://bit.ly/31Vj601

    All our Bristol churches are in our West region.

    Useful local links

     

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