Bedminster, facing Bristol from the southern bank of the River Avon, was home to a Bible Christian mission (in Princess Street) from 1855. Like other congregations during the third quarter of the nineteenth century the Bedminster Bible Christians felt that their premises were inadequate to the demand, and a new building was planned.
“The most eligible and commanding site in Bedminster” was acquired and the foundation stone of the school laid in June 1877. As the maps show, the site was part of Redcliff Terrace, on York Road, overlooking the river. The chapel and classrooms were designed by James Crocker of Exeter. The chapel was 66 feet by 43 feet, built above the classrooms. The entrance, therefore, was approached by a flight of steps from the road. With galleries, the chapel was designed to seat 750. The accommodation, unusually, increased to 850 by 1940. There was a barrel vaulted ceiling. The elevation to the Crescent was described as early French Gothic in style, appropriate for an architect best known for writing about Exeter’s mediaeval architecture. The memorial stones of the chapel were laid on Monday 22nd October, 1877, in a deluge of biblical proportions. Not put off, the friends then processed to the Princess Street chapel for a meeting, at which Rev. John Dymond and Mrs Terrett addressed the issue of why the men and women of Bristol might not be responding with greater vigour to the good news. It was to be prayed that providing a comfortable and beautiful building would help in “the up-lifting of fallen humankind”.
Following the destruction of the chapel in a bombing raid in 1941, it was decided not to rebuild. We would welcome more information about this chapel, and particularly any photographs.
A copy of Mrs Terrett’s address is attached to this page.
Sources:
Bible Christian Magazine, v 57, 1878 pp37-38
1940 Accommodation returns
Comments about this page
We are very grateful to Su Osbourn who has kindly provided us with a copy of Mrs Terrett’s address. This may now be viewed by following the link.
Do you have a copy of the address made by Mrs W. Tebbrett, dated 22/10/1877? If not, I have recently come across a copy in an auction lot we recently acquired which I can photo for you. Kind regards, Su.
Add a comment about this page