Nominal: 700 Hz Weight: 1232 lbs Diameter: 40.9" Bell 1 of 7
Founded by William III & Richard II Purdue 1649
Dove Bell ID: 1049 Tower ID: 11615 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Bristol: St John Baptist w St Mary Le Port
Overview
Grid reference: ST 587 731
There had been a church on this site since the late twelfth century, but the present building dates from 1350-1500, owing much to the Frampton family, particularly to William Frampton, Mayor of Bristol in 1357, 1366 and 1374. The oldest part of the building now standing is the eastern part of the crypt which appears to date from the earlier part of the fourteenth century. The chancel above it is later, about 1480. The wall behind the communion table was probably built in 1570 to create a vestry, and there were alterations to the ground floor of the tower in 1828 in order to make passage more easy for those on foot. At this time the west end was re-arranged internally and the gallery front was moved back one bay.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower with spire, the lower part forming the only surviving city gate; six bays aisleless nave; two bay chancel with vestry beyond, all under one roof; crypt beneath nave and chancel.
Description of Archaeology and History
There had been a church on this site since the late twelfth century, but the present building dates from 1350-1500, owing much to the Frampton family, particularly to William Frampton, Mayor of Bristol in 1357, 1366 and 1374. The oldest part of the building now standing is the eastern part of the crypt which appears to date from the earlier part of the fourteenth century. The chancel above it is later, about 1480. The wall behind the communion table was probably built in 1570 to create a vestry, and there were alterations to the ground floor of the tower in 1828 in order to make passage more easy for those on foot. At this time the west end was re-arranged internally and the gallery front was moved back one bay.
Exterior Description
Of rubble, with dressed limestone for the parapets, tower and spire.
The tower of the church is in three stages. The lower has a antall moulded arch which forms the city gate. This is flanked by two smaller arches built in 1828 for pedestrians, both under square dripstones with carved stops. The spandrels are filled with quatrefoils and the south-east arch is linked by its dripstone to the present entry to the church. The spire is especially elegant, emphasized by the roll-mouldings which run up the angles between the faces. About halfway up there is a small moulding like a crown encircling the spire and at the top a finial from which rises a weathervane with a cock at the summit.
There is little else to be said about the outside of the nave and chancel, fine though they are, and distinguished for the row of six large windows in the nave walls and then the two smaller windows in the lateral walls of the chancel. The most notable feature about the nave of the church is the small section of walling containing a clerestory window which breaks the line of the embattled parapet. This is best explained inside the building. It is roofed in lead, whereas the nave and chancel are slated.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
One stained glass window by Bell of Bristol represents Christ flanked by St. John the Baptist and St. Lawrence. The figures are set in plain glass.
Interior
Interior Description
The long nave consists of six tall bays. Five are of similar design with large windows set in arches which gives a feeling of a space wider than it is, almost as though the side walls were arcades opening into aisles separated by thin attached columns with carved capitals painted red. These may have been intended to serve as supports for a vaulted roof, a plan which was not carried out because of the difficulty of buttressing such a structure sufficiently owing to the exigencies of the site. The sixth bay from the west, that before the chancel arch, has the higher projection noticed outside the church. This is roofed crosswise almost like a small transept, the roof being carried on moulded wall ties which run up at each corner from corbels carved as angels and painted.
The other five bays are roofed with an open timber roof which takes its character from gently curving moulded cross beans each of which corresponds to one of the attached pilasters. The west bay which contains the gallery and organ narrows slightly to abut the tower. The nave is furnished with oak pews and the font stands close to the door under the gallery, on the south side of the alley. This is paved with encaustic tiles of nineteenth-century design.
The chancel arch is tall and wide, made particularly elegant by its satisfying proportions and continuous moulding from floor to apex without intervening capitals. Above hangs a hatchment and each side the Royal supporters stand on brackets.
The chancel is of two and a half bays, the two windows on each side set within arched recesses as in the nave. The windows have three lights and less panel tracory above than the nave windows. The sills are decorated with a castellated moulding. The panelled dado which encircles the nave continues along the north wall until interrupted in the eastern bay by the polychrome tomb chest and recumbent effigy of the benefactor of the church, Walter Frampton. The tiled floor becomes more colourful towards the east, chiefly by the introduction of blue. The steps are of white marble.
The vestry has on the south side a three-light window as in the chancel and on the north side is lit by the oriel already noted.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
The altar table was purchased in 1635 and is a particularly handsome piece, with six legs and square moulded stretchers. The top rail is decorated with gadrooning, box and the legs take the form of tapering pilasters with cherubs heads at the top of each. The centre front leg is in the form of a figure holding a chalice.
Rail
17th Century
The communionrails are wooden, with moulded plinth and square uprights between which are spiral turned columns. The front panels panels of of the uprights have carved surrounds, those by the gates having swags of fruit within them.
Panelling
Early 17th Century
The wainscot panelling round the nave and north side of the chancel (some has also been made up into stalls in the chancel) is all early seventeenth-century date and there is more in fragments elsewhere in the church.
Pew (object)
1621
The nave pews of oak with panelled ends and doors.
Lectern
Late 17th Century
The lectern is said to be of late seventeenth-century date, with a baluster stom supporting a revolving reading desk with incised acanthus decoration.
Font (object)
1624
The font can be dated 1624 and is supported on four large claw feet. The bowl is of cruciform section with twenty panelled faces carved with cherub's heads on the bowl and rosettes on the projecting arms.
Font (component)
1624
The cover which fits the shape of the font is contemporar yand has curving wooden stays supporting a gadrooned pedestal upon which is a dove.
Pulpit
The pulpit remains from the alterations carried out in 1850, and is of carved stone, octagonal with panels carved with exuberantly crocketted decoration. The pulpit is approached through an arch in the respond of the chancel arch.
Organ (object)
1883
The organ is a two manual instrument by Vowles of Bristol, of seventeen It has speaking stops.
Bench (seat)
Late 18th Century
Five good late eighteenth-century Gothick benches with arcaded backs.
Bells
Nominal: 1197 Hz Weight: 532 lbs Diameter: 28.78" Bell 2 of 7
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1706
Dove Bell ID: 13144 Tower ID: 11615 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1058 Hz Weight: 532 lbs Diameter: 29.72" Bell 3 of 7
Founded by William III & Richard II Purdue 1649
Dove Bell ID: 13145 Tower ID: 11615 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 967.5 Hz Weight: 588 lbs Diameter: 32.1" Bell 4 of 7
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1706
Dove Bell ID: 13146 Tower ID: 11615 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 901.5 Hz Weight: 700 lbs Diameter: 33.86" Bell 5 of 7
Founded by Abraham I Rudhall 1706
Dove Bell ID: 13147 Tower ID: 11615 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 781.5 Hz Weight: 1064 lbs Diameter: 37.56" Bell 6 of 7
Founded by William III & Richard II Purdue 1649
Dove Bell ID: 13148 Tower ID: 11615 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1918 Hz Weight: 84 lbs Diameter: 16.97" Bell 7 of 7
Founded by Jonas Hill 1785
Dove Bell ID: 13149 Tower ID: 11615 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 587 731
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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