News / stapleton road
‘We’re not angry, just sad and disappointed,’ say churchgoers after sabotage
Kensington Baptist Chapel in Easton has been standing for nearly two centuries, seeing off a multitude of challenges including the Bristol Blitz. But recently it has been the target of a series of anti-social activities.
Senior parishioner Della Bailey, a congregation member since 1975, said a July 13 incident was the third time in less than three months that the flower beds outside the church had been uprooted.
Expressing her sadness, she said: “I love my flowers. These flowers are taken down after only a couple of days. This is the third time in less than three months. We keep putting flowers in but they keep getting pulled out.”
is needed now More than ever
Kensington Baptist church on Stapleton Road has been there nearly two centuries. The community is “saddened and disappointed” with repeated sabotage of its flower beds which were meant to “add some colour” to the surrounding pic.twitter.com/KXcaY9hNv4
— Milan Gregory Perera (@stbonscc) July 25, 2024
Pete Dyer, a church elder, explained the flower beds on Stapleton Road were an attempt to make the local area more appealing, and called for community support with the efforts.
“We’ve been trying to brighten up the environment for the local people with flowers in planters outside. Della has helped us plant some real flowers and some artificial flowers for the neighbourhood,” he said.
The flower beds has been the target of repeated acts of sabotage – photo: Milan Perera
“It’s been really sad and we’re very disappointed,” Dyer added.
“But we’ll persevere. We’ll put more flowers out and brighten up the street. Maybe some shopkeepers and other people in the street would join us and brighten up here.”
CCTV image from the incident that took place on July 13 – photo: Kensington Baptist Chapel
Dyer showed Bristol24/7 the CCTV footage that captured the latest incident, which took place on July 13.
After weeks of deliberation, the church have finally decided to report the repeated incidents to the police.
Kensington Baptist Chapel has been a huge part of the local community, standing on Stapleton Road for over 175 years – photo: Milan Perera
Kensington Baptist Chapel community was established in 1831 and the current church boasts a 175 year history.
The Sunday church service attracts some 200 people from diverse backgrounds and ethnic groups.
The church is a community hub with a varieties of activities for all ages, even as many other churches in Bristol struggle with dwindling numbers and imminent closure.
Main photo: Milan Perera
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
