Sad day as Bristol church holds final service
A historic church in Bedminster Down has been forced to close due to its dwindling congregation.
The Zion Methodist Church on Bishopsworth Road held its final service on Sunday before closing its doors for good.
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The size of the congregation dropped to about 30 people attending two services on a Sunday.
The current church has stood at the highest point of Bedminster Down for 118 years but the first chapel was built at the site in 1863.
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Church senior steward Dave Macnab , 79, from Bedminster Down, who attended services there for more than 60 years, said: "People don't believe in God any more, and people have stopped going to church – it is a problem we are seeing across the country. The current members at the Zion Methodist Church are getting too old and too few to fill the posts required to run it, so we are left with no alternative but to close down.
"It is sad for the people who attend services, but also for the whole community. The church is a landmark and is a symbol of stability and permanence in the neighbourhood."
He said the building, owned by the Methodist Church, woul probably be sold and could be knocked down.
In the church's final newsletter, John Aldridge, an officer at the church, wrote: "It is with the deepest regret that I sit down to draw together this, the final edition of the Zion Monthly Newsletter.
"Zion does not have the people able or willing to step forward and help to run the church and therefore closure was inevitable. The closing down procedure is now in hand."
Over the years, Bristol has seen other churches close and re-open with new, non-religious roles.
In the 1990s the Grade I-listed St Paul's Church in Portland Square was closed and became derelict before being revamped in 2005 as a base for the Circomedia circus group.
In the 1970s the Holy Trinity Church in Old Market was decommissioned and given to the Afro-Caribbean Community Association for use as a youth, community and arts centre. It is now known as the Trinity Centre.
Comments
by Neil Marchant, Thornbury
Thursday, September 04 2008, 12:58PM
“If this lovely old chapel was placed in Clifton or Redland (or anywhere near where any planners or councilours live)
it would have a preservation order stamped on it. It seems buildings in working class areas aren't felt to be worth converting and conserving. Same issue with lamposts. Several buildings have been lost recently. If you have any photos of demolished church or chapel buildings in the city I would be very interested to see them. I can be contacted on nmbr20601@blueyonder.co.uk. Am currently looking for the long gone Christ Church Barton Hill.”
by Steven, Bristol
Tuesday, September 02 2008, 11:13AM
“I wouldn't say it's 'cool' Beavis rather that it sees the "teachings" of religions of all shapes and sizes for exactly what they are, made-up deluded ramblings.”
by Beavis, Texas
Tuesday, September 02 2008, 10:46AM
“Atheism's COOL. Uhhh-hhehh.”
by Steven, Bristol
Tuesday, September 02 2008, 9:57AM
“Religionists do not have the monopoly on caring for the future or being responsible. I know many, many athiests/agnosticts who are among the most moral, responsible, respectful and caring people you could wish to find.
Educated people are now realising that the church has lied to them for centuries and are getting on with their lives without interferance from god-botherers.
Hopefully this old church building will now be put to good use in the community.”
by Paul, Kingsway, St George
Tuesday, September 02 2008, 8:06AM
“It is a sad fact that on Sundays the churches are empty and the shoping malls are full. I say it is sad as many people now worship material things and lack religious or spiritual beliefs. This lack has a lot to do with the decline of society over recent years. (I refer in general to all religions, not just christian). With no beliefs and lack of care about the future, irresponsibilty sets in which leads to lack of respect for self and others.”