A chapel in Bristol dating back to the 13th century is set to reopen to the public. The Lord Mayor’s Chapel situated on the north-east side of College Green will welcome visitors starting this week under the care of Bristol Cathedral.
Initially known as St Mark's Church, the ancient building is the only surviving part of the Hospital of St Mark dating back as early as 1230. It used to be connected to the Abbey of St Augustine, known today as Bristol Cathedral, and has been called The Lord Mayor's Chapel since 1722 when it became the Bristol Lord Mayor's official place of worship.
It is one of the only two remaining Lord Mayor’s churches in the country with the other one being St Lawrence Jewry in London. For the first time since 1541 - when the Hospital of St Mark was bought from Henry VIII by the Bristol Corporation - visitors will be able to experience The Lord Mayor’s Chapel and Bristol Cathedral together, outside of services and ceremonies from Friday, June 30.
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The Very Reverend Dr Mandy Ford, Dean of Bristol said: “We are delighted to be playing our part in preserving and sharing this beautiful chapel for the benefit of the whole city of Bristol. We look forward to welcoming visitors, pilgrims, tourists, and worshippers to enjoy this special place.”
Frances Rosewell, Visitor Experience Director at Bristol Cathedral, added: “I am pleased that we are able to once again welcome everyone to this incredible space and look forward to sharing stories from the Chapel’s rich history with visitors from all over the world.”
The Lord Mayor’s Chapel is Grade I listed and features some of the most beautiful examples of medieval architecture in Bristol. Visitors will be able to see the fan-vaulted ceiling and the ornate Spanish tiled floor in the side chapel up close, as well as by the big stained-glass window from William Beckford’s ill-fated Gothic Revival masterpiece Fonthill Abbey.
Bristol Cathedral has said it is committed to ensuring The Lord Mayor’s Chapel is open to visitors for generations to come as well as maintaining an active prayerful community that comes together to worship in the Chapel every Sunday. The chapel is not currently being used for religious ceremonies like weddings and christenings but this is being reviewed by the cathedral.
It will open to visitors on Friday (June 30) and will welcome visitors from 10.30am-4.00pm every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Tickets will cost £3 for adults, £2 for NHS and Armed Forces, £1 per child under 16. Tickets are valid for a full year for unlimited return visits.
