St Philip and Jacob, Bristol

Infobox Historic building


caption=SS Philip and Jacob Church
name=SS Philip and Jacob Church
location_town=Bristol
location_country=England
latitude=51.454969
longitude=-2.584987
map_type=Bristol
architect=Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester
client=
engineer=
construction_start_date=Circa AD 900
completion_date=Before 1174
date_demolished=
cost=
structural_system=
style=Early English, Perpendicular
size=

SS Philip and Jacob Church, (gbmapping|ST594730) commonly referred to as Pip 'n' Jay, is a parish church in central Bristol, England. Its full name since 1934 is St Philip and St Jacob with Emmanuel the Unity, although reference to the original church of St Philip exists in records dating from 1174. Historically the 'Mother church of East Bristol', it serves the area known as The Dings.

The building

Pip 'n' Jay refers to itself as the city's 'oldest place of Christian worship'. The church began as a small priory around AD 900. It was later rebuilt by Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, who also built the nearby priory of St Jacob. All that remains of the original church is the font, although parts the chancel and tower date from at least the 13th Century. The building was extended during the Middle Ages to include the present-day nave, the pillars of which are actually Victorian additions, possibly by William Armstrong. [cite book |last=Burrough |first=THB |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Bristol |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista |location=London |isbn=0289798043 ]

The tower contains eight bells dating from 1738 and made by William Bilbie of the Bilbie family. [cite book |last=Moore |first=James |authorlink= |coauthors=Roy Rice & Ernest Hucker |title=Bilbie and the Chew Valley clock makers |year=1995 |publisher=The authors |location= |isbn=0952670208 ]

Around 1860 [http://www.churchplansonline.org/show_full_image.asp?resource_id=05687.tif new plans] were submitted by John Bindon, Richard Shackleton Pope and Thomas Shackleton Pope and accepted for the rebuilding of the church.

An extension was also added to the south-east corner of the church during the 1980s, comprising meeting rooms, a kitchen and other facilities. The building is an English Heritage Grade II* listed structure. [cite web | title= Church of St Philip and St Jacob | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=380710 | accessdate=2007-03-16]

Closure threats

During the English civil war the demolition of the church was ordered (along with nearby St Peter's) to prevent its use as a fortress for attacking the city of Bristol. However, reinforcements arriving in the city meant that the building was saved.

In the early 1960s, the church was again threatened with closure, but managed to avoid becoming a potato factory due to the vision and determination of its then-small , who adopted both the motto 'Seek First' (from Matthew Chapter 6, verse 33) and, uniquely, the name 'Pip 'n' Jay'.

The church today

Since 1963, Pip 'n' Jay has become one of the leading Evangelical churches in Bristol. In the 1970s it was part of the Charismatic revival in the Church of England. Its vicar since 1974 is the Rev. Canon Malcolm Widdecombe. Today, the church supports and sends out many missionaries.

References

ee also

* Grade II* listed buildings in Bristol
* Churches in Bristol

External links

* [http://www.pipnjay.org.uk/ SS Philip & Jacob Church, Bristol]