United Reformed Church
 Brislington Bristol

 

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BRISLINGTON 
UNITED REFORMED
CHURCH.

Original building which was part of the Hollybush Inn, Brislington
The Church traces its origin to 1796, when a small group of Independents felt the desire to hold worship for Non Conformists in Brislington village. At that time for such services to be held, it was necessary to obtain permission from the Bishop, so as Brislington was then a small village in North Somerset application was made to the Bishop of Bath and Wells and a license was granted in May 1796. The two prime movers in the application were Thomas James a local builder and John Tomkins a local farmer. A descendant of John Tomkins was Oliver Tomkins who was the Bishop of Bristol in the 1960’s and 70’s! The original building where worship was conducted was a small stone building erected by Thomas James himself and sited at the rear of the Hollybush Inn (recently demolished) on the corner of Kenneth Road where a block of flats now stands. 
 
There was no permanent minister throughout the 19th Century. In 1827 it was necessary for the building to be enlarged to accommodate a growing congregation. In 1880 a Sunday School was started and a Church covenant was drawn up and agreed by the worshippers. This was to form the basis in 1881 for the formation of a Union Church which was called “The United Christian Church Brislington.” 

Original building which was part of the Hollybush Inn, Brislington

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