History of Westbury-on- Trym Methodist Church
The congregation built their first chapel on the land from the Manor of Henbury. Early descriptions report wooden pews and candle-lit interiors with an oil lamp over the main entrance.
Original chapel demolished and replaced with the existing church building: the chapel with a gallery and organ loft to one end.
The “school rooms” were built adjacent to the north end of the original building. The first floor hall is now used exclusively by Bristol Ballet Centre.
A new hall was constructed to support growing church activities.
1978
The addition of the Portland Lounge and a modern kitchen enhanced community facilities.
Late 1980's
Old church house was demolished and a glass-fronted foyer, numerous rooms and a self-contained flat were built. Shortly afterwards, the chapel underwent substantial renovation with the removal of the pews, communion rail, altar and lectern to be replaced by chairs, a raised platform with hidden communion rail and a modern altar and lectern. A side entrance was added from the foyer.
2015
In 2015, the kitchen and toilets were modernised, a kitchenette and servery added within the foyer, and disabled access facilities provided.
The church has been a “home” to many church groups and community organisations catering for all ages. The Friday Country Market is very popular. The Charades Drama is a friendly amateur dramatics group that aims to put on two productions each year in our hall. Two commercial businesses have been long-term licensees: Bristol Ballet Centre and Kumon Educational Network.
2022
In 2022, we joined with Holy Trinity and Westbury-on-Trym Baptist Church to open a Hub to welcome and support Ukrainian refugees and their hosts. We are proud to have been part of this collaboration and still organise English lessons on Wednesdays, 10-11am, and are ‘home’ to the Ukrainian School.
