Bristol Cathedral

A church has probably stood on this site for

over a thousand years but it came to

prominence in 1140 when Robert Fitzhardinge

founded the Abbey of St. Augustine. The

Chapter House and Abbey Gatehouse remain

clearly to be seen: other remains are within

Bristol Cathedral School.

The eastern end of the Cathedral, especially in

the Choir, gives Bristol Cathedral a unique place

in the development of British and European

Architecture. The Nave, Choir and Aisles are all

the same height, making a large hall. Bristol

Cathedral is the major example of a 'Hall

Church' in Great Britain and one of the finest

anywhere in the world.

In 1539 the Abbey was closed and the partially

rebuilt nave was demolished. The building

became the Cathedral Church of the Holy and

Undivided Trinity in 1542. In 1868 plans were

drawn up to rebuild the Nave to its medieval

design. The Architect, G.E.Street, found the

original pillar bases, so the dimensions are much

the same as those of the abbey church. J. L.

Pearson added the two towers at the West End

and further reordered the interior