Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne

The Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne stands in Colston Street, Bristol, near the top of Christmas Steps. It is a small church, built in 1504 by John Foster, who had been High Sheriff, mayor and MP for the city. The chapel serves as the chapel for Foster’s Almshouses, where the master once appointed a priest to maintain it. Its name comes from the Biblical Magi, linked to the shrine in Cologne Cathedral. One window shows the nativity of Jesus, which may explain why the nearby steps are called Christmas Steps. The chapel is recognised as a Grade II* listed building, meaning it has special historic interest. In 1861 it was refaced and re-roofed by Foster and Wood, and restored again in 1865 with niches for carvings. The three statues now in place were designed by Ernest Pascoe and added in the 1960s. Above them, on the gable, sits a small bellcote. Visitors find a quiet church with simple furnishings, set beside the remodelled almshouses now used as private homes. The chapel is only open to residents, but its exterior and the Christmas Steps outside remain accessible. The street itself slopes steeply, lined with historic buildings, adding to the sense of stepping back in time.