Restoration work begins on bombed-out Redcliffe church

Work is about to get underway on a major project to restore a bombed-out church that has stood empty for more than 75 years.

An ambitious vision to breathe new life into the historic Temple Church, first revealed by Bristol24/7 in November, could see the long-neglected Redcliffe site become an “inspirational” destination for locals and visitors alike.

English Heritage has now confirmed it is starting work on a £965,000 specialist conservation project to repair and restore the crumbling shell of a building, marking the first step in its transformation journey.

In collaboration with The Architecture Centre and Bristol City Council, the charity hopes to secure the future of the church and create a “useful and precious asset for the communities who work and live nearby”.

Work to restore the fabric of the historic building is expected to take more than a year – photo courtesy of English Heritage

“Our key aim is to make it safe again to reopen to visitors and tell this part of Bristol’s story,” explains Rob Woodside, estates director at English Heritage.

Dr Anna Rutherford, director at The Architecture Centre, says: “Over the last year we’ve worked with English Heritage and the wider city to shine a light on the importance of Temple Church and gardens to Bristol’s history.

“It’s brilliant to see the conservation works start on site, we’ll be working with English Heritage and Bristol City Council to engage the public with the restorations as they progress, and to continue to develop the vision for its future.”

Experts are expected to be on site for more than a year as they complete works that include repairs to stonework on the upper levels of the Grade II-listed structure and a new roof for its vestry building.

The team will also examine structural issues in the main arches of the building, address issues with security and undertake specialist care for conservation of some of the building’s unique features, including the aumbry and reredos, and the stone tracery of the windows.

As part of the project, English Heritage will deliver a programme of public engagement events in partnership with The Architecture Centre and English Heritage’s Shout Out Loud youth engagement programme, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Rob adds; “After more than 75 years, we want Temple Church to be part of civic life in Bristol once again, and we hope that engaging the public with this project will help bring that another step closer.”

Architecture Centre’s Shape My City programme with Shankari Raj, young people and English Heritage – photo by Chris Wilkins

Giving its name to Bristol’s main railway station and a large stretch of the city centre, the original church on the site was built in the 12th Century by the Knights Templar, an order of warrior monks steeped in mythology.

The existing church – dating mainly from the 14th Century – was bombed during the Second World War and it has stood empty and unused for more than 75 years since.

Speaking to Bristol24/7 in November, Anna said “We think it’s incredibly important for the whole city to engage in the journey of Temple Church.

“In the future, it can be a place that promotes wellbeing, joy and tranquillity, that is both useful and beautiful for those who explore it.”

The Architecture Centre was invited by English Heritage to lead a consultation on the use of the church and gardens in 2020, engaging with designers, businesses, developers, historians, residents and the wider city to transform the space into an asset for the city and citizens alike.

The aim is to take a collaborative approach to shape the future of the historic Redcliffe site.

The restoration work is being carried out thanks to a donation from Julia and Hans Rausing which will support English Heritage’s work at Temple Church, and other projects at free to enter sites in the west of England.

The plan is to make Temple Church an inspirational destination for visitors and locals alike – photo courtesy of English Heritage

Main photo courtesy of English Heritage 

Read more: New vision for bombed-out church that gave its name to key part of Bristol