News / Old City
Repair work to take place on Bristol’s only surviving medieval church spire
A spire once believed to have been shared by two churches on the route of Bristol’s city wall is set to be repaired.
Now solely the spire of St John the Baptist Church, the spire could also have been part of the neighbouring St Lawrence church, which was demolished in 1580 but whose name lives on in Leonard Lane.
The spire of St John – also known as St John on the Wall due to its location – is above the only surviving town gateway, with its spire the only remaining medieval spire in the city.
is needed now More than ever
There has been a church on this site since the late 12th century but the present building dates from 1350 to 1500 – photo: Martin Booth
St John on the Wall has not had a congregation since the 1950s but remains a consecrated church now cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust.
Work on the spire will involve dismantling the internal structural steel restraint and installing new steel cross beams and a restraint bar at a lower level.
Aassociated masonry repairs will include re-fixing loose sections of ribs and replacing missing sections to match the existing structure.
To find out more about St John on the Wall church, take a walk around the hidden corners of the Old City and Castle Park with Martin Booth: www.yuup.co/experiences/explore-bristol-s-quirkiest-corners
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Historic church spire stabilised before repairs can take place
- Colourful new entrance to Old City walls
- Nelson Street cycle lane fencing removed by mistake
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