Chatterton! The Sleepless Soul
Free exhibition
Where: St John's Chapel
When: July and August (until Wednesday 31 August)
During July and August we’ll be displaying Chatterton! The Sleepless Soul - an exhibition investigating the life, work and legacy of Bristol’s genius ‘boy’ poet.
Chatterton has a particularly strong association with #stmaryredcliffe having been inspired by the gothic grandeur of the church to write an astonishing body of faux medieval verse.
Chatterton died tragically young at 17, but not before creating hundreds of poems as well as historical, political and satirical writings that distinguished him as one of the great geniuses of English literature.
He was also one of the first anti-slavery poets and pamphleteers - these writings speak to his spirit of non-conformity and moral seriousness.
The exhibition was created as part of the @bristolideas#BristolPoeticCity project that was supported by @heritagefunduk
More blog posts
As the new season begins, it feels full of potential as new life appears around us and the days grow longer. Spring brings a natural sense of renewal, and it feels like a particularly special time in the life of our church. I’m delighted that our building will be hosting several events that explore the story and meaning of Easter in different ways. One highlight will be hosting Riding Lights Theatre Company presenting Night Falls, a new Passion play by Paul Birch, offering a powerful retelling of the Easter story. We hope it will be meaningful for both members of our congregation and visitors who join us. We are also looking forward to a screening from the Exhibition on Screen series exploring Easter in Art, reflecting on how artists across the centuries have interpreted the Passion and Resurrection. Our church shop continues to welcome visitors and regulars alike. Alongside cards, books, and gifts, I’m pleased to share that we have recently brought a new book supplier on board, helping us widen our range of titles for both children and adults exploring faith and the heritage of the church. I’ve also been delighted to help recruit several new volunteers to help run church tours, and we hope this will allow us to expand our tour offer and share the story of the church with even more visitors. If you see them in the church please help welcome them to the team. Behind the scenes, we continue working to welcome concerts and other events into the church. Our beautiful space lends itself wonderfully to music, and these events not only bring people together but also help support the care and future of the building. Over the coming months, we look forward to hosting a range of concerts and cultural events, welcoming audiences from across the local area and beyond. If you know of choirs, ensembles, or promoters looking for a distinctive venue, please do point them in our direction. Thank you to everyone who supports these activities by volunteering, attending events, shopping in the shop, or spreading the word. Recca Horry , Commercial Manager 13.03.2026
Preached by the Revd Simon Goodman
Preached by Canon Dr Stephen Spencer
Preached by the Revd Dr Brutus Green
Preached by the Revd Simon Goodman
Preached by the Canon Dr Stephen Spencer
