Built by the Presbyterian Church in the 1950s after the demolishing of a church in the centre of Bristol. Had a large local following under the charismatic ministry of Rev Ernest Marvin in the 1960s. The adjacent Church Hall, since sold to the Community Association to replace the Community Centre on Gainsborough Square that had to be pulled down, was once a thriving centre for the youth of the church and for special church events. The first of Britain's Musical Passion Plays, "A Man Dies" was produced by the membership of this church and played at the Royal Albert Hall, and became the forerunner to later productions like "Joseph and his amazing Multicolour Dreamcoat" and "Jesus Christ Superstar".
A church in South Chard Somerset had been very influential in the Charismatic movement in the UK and overseas in the 1960's and 1970's. From the work at Chard a group lead by S.J.Morris ("Don") formed a fellowship in Bristol. From meeting in homes and the Grange at Almondsbury this fellowship met at St James' from 1975 for 25 years. The church meeting here took the name "Lockleaze Christian Fellowship".
St James remained their home until early 2001, when it was transferred to a local church trust to begin a new work, reaching the local community and building on the faithful work and prayers of those involved in it’s history.
The local church trust has placed responsibility for the development of the work here with Ebenezer Church, Filton Avenue, Horfield.
From 2001 until June 2005, Ebenezer Church have used to building to become a centre of community work in Lockleaze, with a variety of initiatives including - large community action projects under the banner of ‘The Noise’, children’s holiday clubs, Alpha courses, carol services, etc. Also the building has been used by many different community groups for meetings, cookery clubs, birthday parties, gardening clubs, etc. St James Church has become a ‘hub in the community’ and the future of the work here will be lead by Dave Jeal and his team, in partnership with Ebenezer Church.
Friday nights
