Secrets Under the City: Conserving the Crypt of St John on the Wall, Bristol

Grade 1 St John on the Wall is quite simply unique as the last remaining of five churches built into Bristol’s medieval city wall in the 14th Century, and the only remaining medieval spire shaping the city’s skyline. The church at the end of Broad Street has a fascinating history, built as a two-storey structure, Elizabeth I is believed to have ridden through the tower archway and city gate to reach Bristol during her visit in 1574.    

A tiny door in Nelson Street leads visitors down to the crypt which was dedicated to the Holy Cross and considered an extremely holy place to be buried.  With wonderful gothic arches and carved stone bosses the crypt is full of monuments and tombs including an Alabaster tomb of Thomas White, mayor in 1530.   

Vested to the trust in 1985, the church is supported by volunteers who welcome thousands of visitors annually and hosts events and activities which helps to support the ongoing maintenance of the site.   

Why we need your help 

Since emergency works to the spire in 2023 the crypt has been regularly monitored with indications of significant ongoing structural movement potentially caused by a number of external factors.  These include nearby construction, heavy bus traffic causing the church floor to shake, and regular digging of the road.  

This has resulted in a crushing failure of some of the rib stones that support the framework of the intersecting Gothic arches, and crucially, support the weight of the church, with some joints between the rib stones re-opening.  If left there is a real possibility that the supporting structure of the vault will, overtime, become further deformed and lose stability, with movement increasing to a point where integrity is lost.  

Conservation work will strengthen and stabilise the structure of St John’s including removing and replacing a number of rib stones and replacing inappropriate mortar to ensure the building remains accessible. 

The total cost of the work is estimated at £133,000 and as a registered charity we need to raise funds to support this vital conservation work.   

Please help protect St John on the Wall and Bristol’s unique heritage 

Should the fundraising target be exceeded, additional funds raised will be restricted to the church and directed towards annual maintenance costs.