News / history
New lease of life for fire damaged historic church in Bristol
A fire-ravaged historic church is to rise from the ashes as a new events museum and venue in the heart of Bristol.
Closed in 1999 due to dwindling congregation numbers and then set alight by arsonists in 2016, the 15th century, Grade II-listed building at the foot of St Michael’s Hill is now set to be restored into a place that the whole community can enjoy.
St Michael on the Mount Without Church will join a thriving tradition of former places of worship being transformed for alternative uses in Bristol – from St Paul’s Church in Portland Square, now home to Circomedia, to St Werburgh’s church, the HQ of Undercover Rock.
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Ian Johnson purchased Clifton Observatory for £1.3m in 2015
The project will be led by Ian Johnson, the man behind the recent restoration of the Clifton Observatory.
“As a local Bristol resident, born here, I was delighted to be chosen by the Diocese of Bristol to undertake such a sensitive project,” says the Clifton-based events and online publishing entrepreneur.
“I’m personally glad to give one of Bristol most historical buildings a future, especially one not dependent on residential development.
“To be able to open up a building like this for a variety of event uses is also an exciting process, and we hope to deliver a wide variety of event experiences and opportunities for Bristol residents and the local community.
“It will be an interesting process piecing together the detailed history of the area to present an engaging museum experience. The considerable process of researching, structuring and compiling a museum of the surrounding area will help to provide important historical context to the building, but also serve as a new tourist destination adding to Bristol’s rich heritage.
“We aim to make this into something the area, and local residents, can be proud of in the next two years.”
The first steps in the restoration will be to make the building safe and repair the fire damaged roof.
As part of the plans, a museum will be created in the crypt of the Grade II-listed building.
The Diocese of Bristol has responsibility for seeking new uses for churches that have closed.
Oliver Home, Diocesan secretary, said: “After so many attempts to find a sustainable future for the building, the planned use will enable the former church to remain at the heart of the life of the local community and be conserved for years to come.”
The church was a shelter for squatters prior to the fire in October 2016 and has been on Historic England’s ‘at risk’ register for a number of years.
Ross Simmonds, of Historic England South West, welcomed the news that it is to be restored for community use.
St Paul’s Church in Portland Square is now home to Circomedia
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