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Bristol Cathedral begins removal of Colston window
A stained glass window dedicated to Edward Colston has been removed from St Mary Redcliffe church and a window named after him in Bristol Cathedral has been covered up before it too is removed.
The Church of England are now set to complete an inventory of all of their churches “to identify and understand references to slavery”.
Pressure group Countering Colston have welcomed the removal of the windows, but stress that they “remain focused” on Bristol Cathedral’s celebrations of the life of the slave trader in annual services.
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Work to remove the windows began on Monday, with the window in St Mary Redcliffe already removed and the window in the cathedral covered up pending removal with scaffolding.
A prayer remembering those affected by the slave trade had previously been affixed beneath the window at Bristol Cathedral.
Bristol24/7 understands that a decision about what will happen next with the glass – such as whether it will go to a museum – will be made over the coming weeks and months.
It comes after buildings including the Colston Hall and the Colston Tower have also removed references to the slave trader following protesters toppling his statue in the city centre.
In a statement, Bristol Cathedral said: “The fall of the Colston statue on 7 June was a symbolic moment for the city and a signal for change. For us, it is the right moment to take the action we have been considering for some time.
“A cathedral or a church should be a place of sanctuary, justice and peace: a place where God’s glory is worshipped and God’s love is felt.
“The dedications to Colston, in two significant places of worship, has prevented many people from finding peace in these beautiful buildings. Most of these dedications have now gone and the rest will follow.
The statement added: “The removal of historical items is a complex subject that evokes strong feeling.
“We want to work with others to address the true cost of our history, heal our divisions and build a unified city of hope that values and cares for everyone.
“We welcome the opportunity to be part of the Mayor of Bristol’s commission. What has been done today is one step on an important journey.”
Christine Townsend from Countering Colston said: “Countering Colston was completely unaware of the existence of this window until the previous dean of the Cathedral, David Hoyle, had it splashed across the front page of a national newspaper.
“Our activism was concerned with the cathedral in relation to current religious practice only: we opposed the cathedral celebrating the life of enslaver Edward Colston in ceremonies involving schoolchildren. This was still happening in November 2019.
“Countering Colston never asked for the window to be removed, despite the cathedral saying otherwise.
“We remain focused on their current plans to celebrate the life of Edward Colston and await an announcement in relation to this.”
Main photo: Bristol Cathedral
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