When Jess Wright first stepped inside a former Methodist chapel in Bedminster Down, it was as if the former parishioners had left their church one day and never returned. After looking across Bristol, Jess had found the ideal property to house all the community projects she has been working on over the years.
The pews remain in place, as does the organ, and since the derelict chapel reopened earlier this month as Zion, it has been used by the local community as a cafe, meeting place, gallery, cinema and lots more, basically whatever they want it to be.
There are retro items for sale on the balcony which snakes around the walls of the chapel. Some of the delights I spotted lampshades, lights, tables and chairs. Retro is a particular love for Jess, who used to own a retro shop on North Street.
Zion is a not for profit social enterprise, with all profits made being put back into the project. It is a admirable plan, and a marvellous use for an old building that a few years ago may have been quickly snapped up and turned into flats but today is more likely to have remained derelict.
Just look at the former Pro-Cathedral in Clifton, bought by property developers who in turn gave temporary custody of it to the Invisible Circus before they ran out of money and it currently sits untouched, the only sign of life advertising car parking space for £95 a month.
The scale of Zion is much smaller, but this is still a building with a huge amount of potential. The closest thing I have seen to this in Bristol is the short-lived community shop and cafe on Church Road in Redfield, which came to an end due to a lack of volunteers.
If every volunteer at Zion has as much drive as Jess, this place will be a success. I was the only one there at first when I visited on Friday afternoon, and Jess took me to the staff room to show me a fox fast asleep in the back garden, before explaining her dreams for this unique space, which next month is hosting numerous events which include children’s film clubs every Tuesday, classic films on Wednesdays, a quiz night, and classes in charcoal drawing, button pictures, smocking and flower arranging.
Tables and chairs have replaced the pews in the centre of the chapel, although a few lined up by one wall serve as seats for the cinema nights. The cafe is in one corner next to a small gallery, and arts and crafts are for sale underneath the former pulpit.
Natural light streaming in through the stained glass and clear windows gives Zion a gloriously light and airy feel. It is brilliant to see the building back in use, and with some hard work from volunteers and the embrace of the local community, Zion could be a big success and enjoyed again in its new incarnation.
Zion, Bishopsworth Road, Bedminster Down, Bristol. 07966 213 650.
