St Mary Redcliffe

A thriving church in the heart of Bristol

St Mary Redcliffe is not just a Gothic masterpiece, but also a highly diverse parish in one of the more deprived areas of Bristol and home to a growing, inclusive congregation. This parish church has stood for over 800 years as a witness to the glory of God, the skill of craftsmen and women, and the faithfulness of generations of Christians. 


The current generation of ‘SMR’ is a diverse community: old and young, rich and poor; Bristol-born and migrants to the city; Redcliffe through-and-through and newcomers to the church; diverse in ethnic background & cultural identity and in relationships & family circumstances; with varying levels of physical & mental health & ability and understanding of gender & expression of sexual identity.


What binds this ‘diverse community’ is a growing sense of vocation, of purpose within the society, to be a church that is...


Singing the song of faith and justice.


And we are actively exploring how to live this out as a:


  • thriving, inclusive Christian community
  • recognised, welcoming heritage destination 
  • church that makes a difference in the parish. 


As a diverse community we do not share a single understanding on theological debates: but at the heart of the Christian faith we believe that every person is made in the likeness of God and reflects the image of God. We do our very best to welcome and include each and every person in the name of God who made us and loves us as we are for who we are.


May the glory of God enthral you,

the wonder of God inspire you,

and the love of God fill you.


The building is open daily for all to visit, reflect, pray, join in formal worship or simply “be”.


By matthew.buckmaster August 10, 2025
Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar
By Laura.Verrall-Kelly August 7, 2025
Keeping You Updated During the Interregnum As I prepare to go on maternity leave at the end of August, I want to share some important updates regarding our Sunday Services and communication during the Interregnum period. We’ve taken time to consider what is sustainable and meaningful in this season of transition, and while some of the changes have been difficult, they are intended to ensure we can continue to worship together well. Service Changes 8am BCP Eucharist We’ve made the difficult decision to pause this service during the vacancy, following a PCC vote (with 3 votes against). This is due to the limited availability of clergy to cover two Eucharist services on a Sunday. We’re grateful that this decision has allowed us to secure strong cover for the other services. If you’re looking for an early service, the Cathedral offers Morning Prayer at 7.40am and BCP Eucharist at 8am. This change to the 8am will happen from the beginning of October. Mattins & Evensong These will continue with support from a growing team of Lay Leaders. If you're interested in helping lead, please speak to Simon Goodman. Please note: bespoke online orders of service will no longer be produced weekly. Instead, we will use a standard booklet and hymn book in church. Online viewers will receive a standard order of service plus a document with Bible readings and hymns. 10.30am Sung Eucharist Some small changes are being made to simplify things for visiting clergy: Notices will be read by a Church Warden, Duty Warden or Church Representative Communion distribution will return to queue formation A Gradual Hymn will replace the Responsorial Psalm - there is simply not the resource to produce a weekly or termly Psalm hand out in church. We’ll use a standard “Eucharist during the Vacancy” order of service (in booklet form), with hymn books provided in church. As with other services, online resources will mirror this setup. These changes to the 10.30am will happen from the 17th August. Christingle Service Due to the scale of this service and the planning it requires, we’ve made the difficult decision to pause it this year. Without full-time clergy to oversee preparations and lead the service, we don’t believe we can deliver it safely or well. We know this will be disappointing, but this service will be back. Ongoing Communication Thanks to Chris Duncan and Sam Love, we will continue to send out a weekly email during the Interregnum. I’m very grateful to both of them for stepping up to support in this way. We know some of these decisions may not affect everyone, while others may feel them more deeply. We don’t expect universal agreement, and that’s okay — your questions and thoughts are welcome and valued. All we ask is that feedback is offered with kindness and respect for those who have worked hard to make these plans in a short space of time. Thank you for being part of this community and for your ongoing support as we navigate this together.
By matthew.buckmaster August 6, 2025
Preached by the Canon Dr Stephen Spencer, Assistant Priest
By matthew.buckmaster July 27, 2025
Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar
By matthew.buckmaster July 20, 2025
Preached by the Revd Simon Goodman, Curate
By matthew.buckmaster July 13, 2025
Preached by the Revd Canon Dan Tyndall, Vicar
By matthew.buckmaster July 13, 2025
Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar
By dan.tyndall July 11, 2025
The winning band
By matthew.buckmaster June 28, 2025
Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar
By matthew.buckmaster June 14, 2025
Preached by the Revd Canon Dan Tyndall, Vicar
Show More
By matthew.buckmaster August 10, 2025
Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar
By Laura.Verrall-Kelly August 7, 2025
Keeping You Updated During the Interregnum As I prepare to go on maternity leave at the end of August, I want to share some important updates regarding our Sunday Services and communication during the Interregnum period. We’ve taken time to consider what is sustainable and meaningful in this season of transition, and while some of the changes have been difficult, they are intended to ensure we can continue to worship together well. Service Changes 8am BCP Eucharist We’ve made the difficult decision to pause this service during the vacancy, following a PCC vote (with 3 votes against). This is due to the limited availability of clergy to cover two Eucharist services on a Sunday. We’re grateful that this decision has allowed us to secure strong cover for the other services. If you’re looking for an early service, the Cathedral offers Morning Prayer at 7.40am and BCP Eucharist at 8am. This change to the 8am will happen from the beginning of October. Mattins & Evensong These will continue with support from a growing team of Lay Leaders. If you're interested in helping lead, please speak to Simon Goodman. Please note: bespoke online orders of service will no longer be produced weekly. Instead, we will use a standard booklet and hymn book in church. Online viewers will receive a standard order of service plus a document with Bible readings and hymns. 10.30am Sung Eucharist Some small changes are being made to simplify things for visiting clergy: Notices will be read by a Church Warden, Duty Warden or Church Representative Communion distribution will return to queue formation A Gradual Hymn will replace the Responsorial Psalm - there is simply not the resource to produce a weekly or termly Psalm hand out in church. We’ll use a standard “Eucharist during the Vacancy” order of service (in booklet form), with hymn books provided in church. As with other services, online resources will mirror this setup. These changes to the 10.30am will happen from the 17th August. Christingle Service Due to the scale of this service and the planning it requires, we’ve made the difficult decision to pause it this year. Without full-time clergy to oversee preparations and lead the service, we don’t believe we can deliver it safely or well. We know this will be disappointing, but this service will be back. Ongoing Communication Thanks to Chris Duncan and Sam Love, we will continue to send out a weekly email during the Interregnum. I’m very grateful to both of them for stepping up to support in this way. We know some of these decisions may not affect everyone, while others may feel them more deeply. We don’t expect universal agreement, and that’s okay — your questions and thoughts are welcome and valued. All we ask is that feedback is offered with kindness and respect for those who have worked hard to make these plans in a short space of time. Thank you for being part of this community and for your ongoing support as we navigate this together.
By matthew.buckmaster August 6, 2025
Preached by the Canon Dr Stephen Spencer, Assistant Priest
By matthew.buckmaster July 27, 2025
Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar
By matthew.buckmaster July 20, 2025
Preached by the Revd Simon Goodman, Curate
By matthew.buckmaster July 13, 2025
Preached by the Revd Canon Dan Tyndall, Vicar
By matthew.buckmaster July 13, 2025
Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar
By dan.tyndall July 11, 2025
The winning band
By matthew.buckmaster June 28, 2025
Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar
Show More