Bristol’s secret chapel opens to visitors in the care of Bristol Cathedral

On Friday 30 June 2023, The Lord Mayor’s Chapel, now in the care of Bristol Cathedral, will reopen to visitors. This heralds the new and exciting chapter in the life of the historic chapel. 

The Lord Mayor’s Chapel is the only remaining building of the Hospital of St Mark. Built in the 13th century, it used to be connected to the Abbey of St Augustine, known today as Bristol Cathedral. For the first time since 1541, when the Hospital of St Mark was bought from Henry VIII by the Bristol Corporation, visitors will be able to experience The Lord Mayor’s Chapel and Bristol Cathedral together, as intended by the medieval monks.

In 1722, the Lord Mayor’s Chapel became the official place of worship of the Lord Mayor of Bristol. It is one of the only two remaining Lord Mayor’s churches in the country, with the other one being St Lawrence Jewry in London.

The Very Reverend Dr Mandy Ford, Dean of Bristol said: “We are delighted to be playing our part in preserving and sharing this beautiful chapel for the benefit of the whole city of Bristol. We look forward to welcoming visitors, pilgrims, tourists, and worshippers to enjoy this special place.”

Frances Rosewell, Visitor Experience Director at Bristol Cathedral added: “I am pleased that we are able to once again welcome everyone to this incredible space and look forward to sharing stories from the Chapel’s rich history with visitors from all over the world.”

The Lord Mayor’s Chapel is Grade I listed and features some of the most stunning examples of medieval architecture in Bristol. Visitors will be awed by the fan vaulted ceiling and the ornate Spanish tiled floor in the side chapel, as well as by the big stained-glass window from William Beckford’s ill-fated Gothic Revival masterpiece Fonthill Abbey.

Bristol Cathedral is committed to ensuring The Lord Mayor’s Chapel is open to visitors for generations to come, besides maintaining and nurturing an active prayerful community that comes together to worship in the Chapel every Sunday.