The first stage of a consultation to determine the future of All Saints Church on Corn Street, believed to be the burial place of Edward Colston, has been completed. Commissioned in 2024 and carried out by external consultants, the project has identified several potential future uses for the historic building. These proposals will be explored and developed further in the second phase of the consultation.
The first stage of the consultation engaged with members of Bristol’s African Caribbean heritage communities, as well as other stakeholders whose work and/or knowledge was deemed relevant to the issue. The process involved interviews, focus groups, artistic responses, visits to the building and surveys to gather opinions on the church's future. All respondents were offered the opportunity to visit the building and approximately 50% did so. The methodology used open-ended questions to encourage reflection and discussion.
The Rt Revd Neil Warwick, Acting Bishop of Bristol and Bishop of Swindon, said:
“The completion of the first stage of the consultation marks an important step in listening, learning, and discerning the most appropriate way forward for the building. Former Bishop of Bristol, The Rt Revd Viv Faull, began this vital work, and the Diocese and I remain dedicated to it.”
The consultation revealed differing perspectives on the building’s potential future use. These perspectives and early-stage proposals will be explored in the second, broader stage of the process. Further information about this second stage will be shared by the Diocese in the coming weeks.
The building has been closed to the public since 1984 but was used as offices until 2015. Due to its location, legally required works to fix the building's roof are set to begin in early spring to protect public safety. The works, which will last for around six months, are completely separate from the consultation and will not influence the final decisions about the building’s future.