Vision of building : conservation plans
As Bristol’s parish church, Saint Stephen’s church has provided spiritual inspiration and blessings for travellers and traders passing through the trans-Atlantic port on journeys around the world, plus hope and encouragement for communities and businesses living and working in our busy mercantile city.
Through the ages the church has been shaped by artists and craftsmen. It has been endowed with a majestic Somerset-type tower, among the tallest in the country, paid for by the merchant John Shipward, elegant fan vaulting, a significant C15 brass eagle lectern, wrought iron gates and sword rest by William Edney (1710). The stained glass East window and carved stone reredos were created by Charles Hansom (1875).
The recent commission of Graeme Evelyn, our artist-in-residence, to create Reconciliation Reredos, a narrative series of four permanent carved painted panels to be installed during 2010 behind the altar, continues this tradition.
We are developing sensitive and sustainable plans to conserve, reshape and enhance elements of the church buildings to support our core mission. David McLaughlin, our church architect, in consultation with Canon Tim Higgins, the church council and local stakeholders, is helping to create a blueprint to redevelop the church for the 21st century to match community needs:
- Welcoming porch entrance that invites everyone over the threshold, helping to re-connect the church with the life of this modern city through a design that communicates transparency, hospitality, openness and inspiration
- Open plan central spaces that encourage community and flexible communion with a clear spacial design that enables freedom of movement for expression, procession and performance
- Welcoming and flexible seating that can be shaped to support community building through moving liturgy and meditation, drama and soundscape
- Church and garden spaces that reaffirm connections between earth and heaven, soul and creator, for everyone that enters
- Innovative public art programme to add contemporary artworks to both our internal and garden spaces.
If you are interested in contributing towards the redevelopment of St Stephen’s church with ideas or support, please contact us or leave a comment below.
