St Mary Redcliffe

St Mary Redcliffe We have now reopened to visitors!
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This parish church has stood for over 800 years as to witness to the beauty and spaciousness of God, the skills and talents of craftsmen and women, and the care and faithfulness of generations of Christians.

04/09/2026

The carpet is gone! The tiles are revealed! ✨

The Victorian encaustic tile pavement of the Lady Chapel at St Mary Redcliffe — installed in 1869, hidden for decades — is once again visible in all its glory. Cleaned, polished, and ready to be admired.

These are not just any tiles. They were commissioned by the Freemasons of Bristol, manufactured by Maw & Co. — once the largest tile company in the world — and installed as part of one of the great Victorian restorations of a Bristol landmark. They are historically significant, visually stunning, and absolutely free to visit.

Whether you're interested in church history, Victorian craftsmanship, decorative arts, graphic design, or simply the beauty of a remarkable building, this is a sight worth seeing.

📍 St Mary Redcliffe, Redcliffe Way, Bristol BS1 6RA
🕗 Monday–Saturday: 8am–4pm
🕗 Sunday: afternoons following morning worship
🎟 Free admission. Everyone welcome.

04/09/2026

Our new old Lady Chapel floor, dating from 1869. In 1969, a carpet was laid over the tiles 🤷‍♂️ and it has rarely been seen since. The tiles are by Maw & Co - one of the most significant tile manufacturers of the C19th and paid for by Bristol Freemasons, hence the fine mosaic of the Masonic motif in the centre of the floor. Do stop by and take a look - it really is a beautiful element within the architectural masterpiece that is

In 1869, as the finishing act of their long patronage of the Lady Chapel at St Mary Redcliffe, the Freemasons of Bristol...
04/09/2026

In 1869, as the finishing act of their long patronage of the Lady Chapel at St Mary Redcliffe, the Freemasons of Bristol commissioned a beautiful pavement of encaustic tiles. The tiles were manufactured by Maw & Co. of Broseley, Shropshire, one of the most celebrated tile-makers of the Victorian era.

At the height of their fame, Maw & Co. produced over 20 million tiles a year. Their clients included the Royal Family, Alexander II of Russia, nine dukes, twelve earls, thirteen cathedrals, and five warships. Their Jackfield factory eventually became the largest tile works in the world.

The Lady Chapel pavement was described at the time by the journal The Builder as 'a very rich mosaic pavement… composed of varied combinations of rough encaustic tiles with rich glazes of yellow, green, and black.' A later guidebook singled out the mosaic centrepiece as 'a gem of modern mosaic work, containing above 1,000 pieces in its two square feet.'

And then, at some point in the twentieth century, someone put a carpet down 😑

Thankfully, the carpet has now been removed by Minerva Conservation, and the tiles are being cleaned and restored, giving visitors an opportunity to see the beautiful pavement - revealed as one of the glories of the church.

Make sure you stop by to take a look!

📍 Open Monday–Saturday 8am–4pm | Sunday afternoons | Free

Have you ever had one of those moments where you're singing and everything just... clicks? Where the music lifts you up ...
01/09/2026

Have you ever had one of those moments where you're singing and everything just... clicks? Where the music lifts you up and you forget about everything else?

That's what we want to create on Sunday 27 September at St Mary Redcliffe.

We're hosting a special musical community get together, Come and Sing Haydn's 'The Creation' – and we're looking for singers like you. Whether you've sung in choirs for years or you just love music, there's a place for you here.

You'll spend the afternoon learning selected movements from one of the most glorious pieces ever written, then perform them together in one of Britain's finest parish churches. The acoustics are extraordinary. The community is welcoming. And yes – it's completely free.

2:00pm rehearsal | 5:30pm performance | Sunday 27 September
St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol

No auditions. No pressure. Just beautiful music and brilliant people.

Ready to join us?

https://stmaryredcliffe.com/singhaydn

Time to commit to Treefest 2026We've had a fantastic response to Treefest so far – and we're thrilled to see so many Bri...
28/08/2026

Time to commit to Treefest 2026

We've had a fantastic response to Treefest so far – and we're thrilled to see so many Bristol businesses planning to get involved.

If you've been thinking about entering a tree but haven't quite registered yet, September is the perfect time to commit. You'll have three months to plan, source materials, and create something special for your organisation.

What makes Treefest special:
✨ It's completely free – no costs, no catches
✨ Your tree will be seen by hundreds of visitors
✨ You'll be supporting a community celebration in a historic setting
✨ It's a genuine, authentic way to connect with Bristol

Ready to get involved? Visit our Treefest page to enter your tree. Registration only takes a few minutes, and then the creative fun begins. https://buff.ly/zCjSJGd

Treefest runs Friday 4th – Sunday 6th December. We'd love to have you with us! 🎄

The UniBrass Foundation presents a FREE performance by the National Universities Brass Band at St Mary Redcliffe on Mond...
27/08/2026

The UniBrass Foundation presents a FREE performance by the National Universities Brass Band at St Mary Redcliffe on Monday 31st August 2026 at 4pm. Formed of young brass and percussion players from across the country who have come together to play as a group as part of the annual UniBrass Band Camp summer school, this performance is the culmination of all they have been working on over the Bank Holiday weekend. Led by renowned conductor and composer, Chris Bond, and featuring tutors from some of the best brass bands in the country, this performance will offer something for everyone, including brass band classics, music from film and television, marches, pop tunes, and more. Join us, and support the next generation of brass and percussion talent.

More wonderful patterned tiles from the newly uncovered Lady Chapel floor. The floor - which until Monday had been cover...
26/08/2026

More wonderful patterned tiles from the newly uncovered Lady Chapel floor. The floor - which until Monday had been covered by a less than appealing carpet - is currently being cleaned and restored by Minerva Stone Conservation.

The tiles, which were designed by the Shropshire tile manufacturer Maw & Co., were installed in 1869 during the major C19th restoration of the church, and paid for - along with the wider restoration and decoration of the Lady Chapel - by the Freemasons of Bristol.

🎵 You're invited to Come and Sing at St Mary Redcliffe! 🎵Join us on Sunday 27 September for an inspiring afternoon of mu...
26/08/2026

🎵 You're invited to Come and Sing at St Mary Redcliffe! 🎵

Join us on Sunday 27 September for an inspiring afternoon of music-making as we explore the glorious choruses and solos from Joseph Haydn's masterpiece, The Creation.

Whether you're an experienced choral singer, a member of a local choir, or simply someone who loves great music, this is for you. No auditions. No experience necessary (though all welcome!). Just come and sing in one of Britain's finest parish churches.

📍 St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol
⏰ 2:00pm Rehearsal | 5:30pm Performance
💜 FREE

From the dramatic opening to the glorious "The Heavens Are Telling," Haydn's The Creation is one of the most uplifting works ever written. Spend the afternoon learning selected movements, then share what you've created with friends, family and your community.

Spaces are limited – let us know you're coming!
https://buff.ly/5LjRImJ

Today the Minerva Conservation team has begun work lifting the carpet in our Lady Chapel to reveal a superb tiled floor ...
24/08/2026

Today the Minerva Conservation team has begun work lifting the carpet in our Lady Chapel to reveal a superb tiled floor that was installed in 1869. The floor has been carpeted since the 1960s, so this is the first time these striking designs have been seen in over half a century. In the centre is a hexagram mosaic, indicating that the pavement was paid for by the Freemasons, who restored the chapel during the church's great C19th restoration.

Interstellar is back! 7pm Saturday 14 November at Marking the 10th anniversary of the film Interstellar, musician Roger...
21/08/2026

Interstellar is back!

7pm Saturday 14 November at

Marking the 10th anniversary of the film Interstellar, musician Roger Sayer performs music from the film on our world class church organ.

The Original Interstellar Organist, Roger Sayer, performs music from the original famous soundtrack together with other iconic Sci-fi music , including Star Wars and Thunderbirds.

Tickets and info here: stmaryredcliffe.com/interstellar

Address

Bristol
BS16RA

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+441172310060

Website

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