The Cathedral Tour: Bristol

                             Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, Bristol


'A reassuringly sturdy Cathedral'

We came racing in with a few minutes to spare before the midday Eucharist. This Cathedral has been developed and adapted for worship over eight centuries. The welcome leaflet describes it as 'a centre of Bristol's history, civic life and culture.' It goes on to state, 'Whatever the reason for your visit, and whatever your faith - especially if you have little or none - we welcome you.' No-one was at the door to greet us or request a donation, but we easily found our way to the Berkeley Chapel. We were joined by two other worshippers, and the Dean of Women's Ministry presided, mentioning the Novena and including prayer requests from visitors in the intercessions. Afterwards, she listened to our story and pointed us to the Saxon Stone (an extraordinarily old pictorial representation of the harrowing of hell), as well as to the Cathedral's new icons, St Augustine (a link with Canterbury) and St Jordan (?!). I was particularly struck by Keith New's South Choir Aisle Window (1962) - 'an abstract representing the Holy Spirit' and Jacqui Parkinson's colourful 'Servant King' banners. This set the scene for something we would discover in many Cathedrals - a feast of 20th and 21st century art which somehow seemed to be in just the right place against an old wall or in a suprising niche.

   

The restored Eastern Lady Chapel was quite breathtaking and a sharp contrast to the simplicity of the nave altar area. There was a small, well-cared for garden area.