St Philip and Jacob, Bristol

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Building information
SS Philip and Jacob Church
SS Philip and Jacob Church
Location	Bristol
Country	England
Architect	Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester
Construction Start Date	Circa AD 900
Completion Date	Before 1174
Style	Early English, Perpendicular

SS Philip and Jacob Church, commonly referred to as Pip 'n' Jay, is a parish church in central Bristol, England. Its full name since 1934 is St Philip and St Jacob with Emmanuel the Unity, although reference to the original church of St Philip exists in records dating from 1174. Historically the 'Mother church of East Bristol', it serves the area known as The Dings.

1 The building
2 Closure threats
3 The church today
4 References
5 External link

[edit] The building

Pip 'n' Jay refers to itself as the city's 'oldest place of Christian worship'. The church began as a small priory around AD 900 before being rebuilt by Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, who also built the nearby priory of St Jacob. The only remaining part of the original church is the font, although parts the chancel and tower date from at least the 13th Century. The church was extended during the Middle Ages to include the present-day nave, the pillars of which are actually Victorian additions. The church is an English Heritage Grade II* listed structure. ^[1]

[edit] Closure threats

During the English civil war the demolition of the church was ordered (along with nearby St Peter's) to prevent its use as a fortress for attacking the city of Bristol. However, reinforcements arriving in the city meant that the building was saved.

In the early 1960s, it was again threatened with closure, but managed to avoid becoming a potato factory due to the vision and determination of its then-small congregation, who adopted both the motto 'Seek First' (from Matthew Chapter 6, verse 33) and, uniquely, the name 'Pip 'n' Jay'.

[edit] The church today

Since 1963, the church has become one of the leading Evangelical churches in Bristol. In the 1970s it was part of the Charismatic revival in the Church of England. Pip 'n' Jay's vicar since 1974 is the Rev. Canon Malcolm Widdecombe. Today, the church supports and sends out many missionaries.