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A BRIEF HISTORY OF BRISLINGTON
UNITED REFORMED
CHURCH. |
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Original building
now part of the Hollybush Inn, Brislington |
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The Church traces its origin to 1796, when a small group of Independents felt the desire to hold worship for Non Conformists in Brislington village. At that time for such services to be held,
it was necessary to obtain permission from the Bishop, so as Brislington was then a small village in North Somerset application was made to the Bishop of Bath and Wells and a license was granted in May 1796.
The two prime movers in the application were Thomas James a local builder and John Tomkins a local farmer. A descendant of John Tomkins was Oliver Tomkins who was the Bishop of Bristol in the 1960’s and 70’s! The original building where worship was conducted was a small stone building erected by Thomas James himself, and sited at the rear of what is now the Hollybush Inn in
Brislington. There was no permanent minister throughout the 19th Century. In 1827 it was necessary for the building to be enlarged to accommodate a growing congregation. In 1880 a Sunday School was started and a Church covenant was drawn up and agreed by the worshippers. This was to form the basis in 1881 for the formation of a Union Church which was called “The United Christian Church
Brislington.” |
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| In 1894 sadly the chapel caught fire and was burnt to the ground, but undaunted the congregation had it rebuilt and it was reopened 6 months later. The shell of this building can still be seen, belonging to the
“Hollybush.” As the 20th Century was approaching so were the City of Bristol boundaries which before long were to encompass the village of Brislington . So looking to future the Church decided it was time to enlarge their premises so the Church joined the Congregational Union and a new Church building was erected on the corner of Wick Road and Bath Road. This was opened in Oct. 1901. In 1902 the Church called its first resident minister the Rev. Ignatius Jones. |
| Since then there has been nine Ministers, and one assistant
minister In 1904 the Grove House, came on the market. This house was situated just a few yards down the road from the Church and presented the Church with ready made accommodation for Sunday School and other meetings, so this was bought and a hall built alongside. These premises were used by the Church for the next 76 years. In 1908 the Church building was extended by the length of another two window bays and also a Chancel was added. In 1922 a recreation ground was leased on the corner of Stockwood Lane and the Bath Road [what is now the Brislington Park and Ride] and a club was formed for Tennis, Hockey, Football, Cricket and Croquet. In the 1950’s the Congregational Union became the Congregational Church in England and Wales. In 1972 our Church voted to become a part of the United Reformed Church. In 1980 with the Grove becoming an increasing drain on the finances, it was decided to sell it and a plan to redevelop the Church building was initiated. The first phase was to put in a new floor, dividing the building into an upstairs worship area and downstairs a hall, a kitchen, and meeting rooms. In 1990 the Church covenanted with the Churches in Brislington and St. Annes to form an
L.E.P. We are currently in our third seven-year renewal. |
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Original building
now part of the Hollybush Inn, Brislington |
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