Wesleyan Methodist Church

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Bishop

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Wesleyan Methodist Church


Just outside of the City boundary, this church was built in 1843. The schools followed in a similar style to the south. Closed before 1978, congregation united with Zion (United Free) in Two Mile Hill, and used for a time as a dance studio. Derelict 1998, and in a deteriorating condition May 2004. Major fire later 2004 has left a burnt-out shell, and suggests its future could be limited.

Above quote taken from ChurchCrawler (Bristol Cathedrals, Churches and Chapels) Methodist chapels/churches page.
http://www.churchcrawler.co.uk/index.html

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Although there were Methodist ministers, John Wesley encouraged people who had full-time jobs to become lay preachers. This gave working people valuable experience of speaking in public. Later, some of these went on to become leaders of trade unions and reform groups.

I found the above information rather interesting, it's taken from this link below which is a short but informative history of the Wesleyan Methodists.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REmethodism.htm

Photograph below is of the church (on the right) and the side of the school.

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Visit report to follow.

b
 
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Below pic is of the Preacher's House which is built against the south wall of the church.

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Windows Live Local birds eye view of the Wesleyan Church site.

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=sk986ngsqjb1&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=4247951

Quick description of the site. The church has unfortunately been gutted by fire, built against the southern end of the church is a small house for I presume the Preacher of the church? To the south of the church/house is the old school, this was last used as a snooker club but is now no longer in use and is secure. To the south of the school are modern retirement flats which are soulless, boring, modern crap. Big overgrown cemetery to the west and south of the church, small cemetery on the east side between the church and the road, and a final small cemetery to the north of the church which is separated by railings and a gate.

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Visit Report

Driven past this church many a time and considered having a closer look but I've always been put off by how overgrown the cemetery is and I presumed that due to the seriously poor condition of the church that it would be well boarded up.

Interior, as you can see below with the roof gone the floor is in a very dangerous condition, there was no way I was going to walk across it.
If you look at the door on the right of the picture then the floor in front of it you can see there is a thin line of stone, this is one of the aisles which is part of the foundations and is basically a wall and very handy if like me you don't fancy taking your chances with the floorboards.

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When I entered the church I stepped on some small bits of rubble and startled a pigeon which was sat on the top of the wall just above me, it flew off and knocked a piece of stone roughly the size of a half brick from the top of the wall into the floor below, about 3 maybe 4 feet just to my left. :eek:
I know I should have been wearing a hard hat.

Hmmm, that floor is not good, though I like the colour.

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On the southern wall of the church is a doorway to the Preacher's House. It's in an appalling state and is just as dangerous as the church, bit of a hole in the floor...

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Preachers House interior.

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Not much left of the roof of the house.

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Ok that'll do for the moment, I'll write a small bit more about the exterior and cemetery next.

b
 
Cemetery and exterior of the church

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Fly tipping bastards. Really shows great respect for the dead...

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Dirty smackheads, why do they have to leave needles lying around? The bastards.

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The School. Secure.

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Cemetery, church and the light coloured, new looking building on the right is a retirement home.

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Bishop :)
 
What a sad place that looks, the details around the windows show how nice this place must have been. Great pictures bishop!
 
King Al;12032; said:
the details around the windows show how nice this place must have been. Great pictures bishop!

I agree and the window shots are amazing. Good to read the history of the place too. Thanks, Bishop.
Foxy :)
 
Thanks. ;)

What would be nice is if I could find a picture of the church when it
was in use (before 1978)? Theres a stall in a covered market in Bristol
that sells copies of old photographs, I'll have a look at some point and
see if they've got a pic?

Also see if they've got photos of other churches I've visited in the
Bristol area?

b :)
 
Once again, some great pictures Sir B:)
"STEPS" School of Dance -so that's what happened to them!!;)
Amazing that the walls are still standing -just goes to show how well buildings used to be constructed -ah, the good ol' days, remember them well :p (am actually 249 years old, but Oil of Ulay works wonders, but don't like the taste too much):sick: ;)
Really sad to see the graveyard in such a state -makes you wonder what happened to the relatives.
Thanks again.

Lb:cool:
 

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