St Stephen's Church — Attraction in Bristol

We got married in St Stephens Church on 5th September 2015. it is the most special church that we've ever been in. Whilst we were required to attend the church for 6 months leading up to the wedding as we didn't live in the parish, we found ourselves visiting more often as we enjoyed it so much.

Whilst we always had an underlying belief, we were in no way religious before meeting the Reverend, Lee, at St. Stephens. We were made to feel welcome immediately and with every single service that we attended, found that it left us with profound thoughts after Lee had managed to make the bible relevant and applicable to our modern day lives. It provided a great pillar of strength to me in a tough time in my life and for that I will be forever grateful.

The church is beautiful, inside and out, but the real beauty comes from it's congregation, all of whom play a very special part in one of the best communities that I've ever experienced.

When it came to the actual service, ALL of our guests said that it was the most touching and personal service that they'd been to. Everybody enjoyed it and said that it was refreshingly relevant. Never preached to, ideas are welcomed but the faith remains an underlying important aspect of every part of each service. I lost count of the number of people who said that they'd go to church more if it was like St Stephens.

I cannot recommend the church highly enough. We will continue to visit St Stephens whenever we return to Bristol. It's an incredibly special church and Lee is a very special person. Both will always have a very large place...

St Stephen's Church, Bristol St Stephen's Church is a historic Anglican church located on St Stephen’s Avenue, near the Floating Harbour in Bristol. It is known for its stunning medieval tower, connections to Bristol’s merchant history, and beautiful memorials.

History & Architecture Founded: Originally built in the 13th century, the current structure dates mostly from the 15th century.

Architectural Style: A fine example of Perpendicular Gothic design, with intricate stonework and large stained-glass windows.

Tower: The 152-foot (46 m) tower, built in 1470, was financed by Bristol’s merchants.

War Damage: The church survived WWII bombings, unlike many others in central Bristol.

Notable Features Monuments & Tombs:

Tomb of Martin Pring – An explorer who discovered parts of North America in the 17th century.

Memorial to Robert Thorne – A prominent merchant involved in early English trade with the New World.

Stained Glass: Some original windows were destroyed in WWII, but later restorations and new designs keep the church’s beauty intact.

Links to Bristol's Maritime Past: It was the official church of Bristol’s merchants, reflecting the city's global trade connections.

Current Use The church remains active, holding services and events.

It is also a cultural and community space, hosting concerts and exhibitions.

The surrounding churchyard is a peaceful green space, offering a quiet retreat...

St Stephens is a wonderful Christian community located in the heart of Bristol. A beautiful building also, it's been there since the 14th century. It has a spectacular garden space, a secret healing garden, popular with office workers, tourists and anyone looking for a bit of reflective peace and quiet, lunchtime or anytime. A recently reopened cafe, attached to the garden, serves delicious reasonably priced food and drinks using local produce and is run by Brandon Trust who support people with learning difficulties. Sunday services have a welcoming, relaxed and reflective feel with opportunities to pitch in with your own thoughts and...