St Philip and Jacob, Bristol
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| SS Philip and Jacob Church | |
 SS Philip and Jacob Church |
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  Shown within Bristol
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| Building information | |
|---|---|
| Town | Bristol |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Architect | Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester |
| Construction start date | Circa AD 900 |
| Completion date | Before 1174 |
| Style | Early English, Perpendicular |
SS Philip and Jacob Church, (grid reference ST594730) commonly referred to as Pip 'n' Jay, is a parish church in central Bristol, England. Its full name since 1934 is St Philip and St Jacob with Emmanuel the Unity, although reference to the original church of St Philip exists in records dating from 1174. Historically the 'Mother church of East Bristol', it serves the area known as The Dings.
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[edit] The building
Pip 'n' Jay refers to itself as the city's 'oldest place of Christian worship'. The church began as a small priory around AD 900. It was later rebuilt by Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, who also built the nearby priory of St Jacob. All that remains of the original church is the font, although parts the chancel and tower date from at least the 13th Century. The building was extended during the Middle Ages to include the present-day nave, the pillars of which are actually Victorian additions, possibly by William Armstrong.[1]
The tower contains eight bells dating from 1738 and made by William Bilbie of the Bilbie family.[2]
Around 1860 new plans were submitted by John Bindon, Richard Shackleton Pope and Thomas Shackleton Pope and accepted for the rebuilding of the church.
An extension was also added to the south-east corner of the church during the 1980s, comprising meeting rooms, a kitchen and other facilities. The building is an English Heritage Grade II* listed structure. [3]
[edit] Closure threats
During the English civil war the demolition of the church was ordered (along with nearby St Peter's) to prevent its use as a fortress for attacking the city of Bristol. However, reinforcements arriving in the city meant that the building was saved.
In the early 1960s, the church was again threatened with closure, but managed to avoid becoming a potato factory due to the vision and determination of its then-small congregation, who adopted both the motto 'Seek First' (from Matthew Chapter 6, verse 33) and, uniquely, the name 'Pip 'n' Jay'.
[edit] The church today
Since 1963, Pip 'n' Jay has become one of the leading Evangelical churches in Bristol. In the 1970s it was part of the Charismatic revival in the Church of England. Its vicar since 1974 is the Rev. Canon Malcolm Widdecombe. Today, the church supports and sends out many missionaries.
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[edit] References
- ^ Burrough, THB (1970). Bristol. London: Studio Vista. ISBN 0289798043.
- ^ Moore, James; Roy Rice & Ernest Hucker (1995). Bilbie and the Chew Valley clock makers. The authors. ISBN 0952670208.
- ^ Church of St Philip and St Jacob. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-03-16.
