Redland Chapel

Redland Parish Church stands in the Redland suburb of Bristol as a Georgian place of worship built in 1742. The Grade I listed limestone building began as a private chapel for John Cossins before becoming a parish church in 1942. Its front features four Ionic pilasters and an octagonal leaded cupola on the roof. The rear shows carved moor heads, while the gate piers have ziggurat tops designed by Nathaniel Arthur in 1743. The church is worth visiting for its fine plasterwork by Thomas Paty and Baroque limewood carvings. John Michael Rysbrack carved memorial busts of John Cossins and his wife, which remain inside. The interior includes a square chancel, a nave with a coffered ceiling, and intricately carved wooden panels showing birds and foliage. The pulpit was reduced from three levels to two in the Victorian era. Inside, visitors find a quiet space with dark oak backgrounds highlighting the limewood carvings. The walls and gates from 1743 add to the historic atmosphere. Parish records and photographs are kept at Bristol Archives, offering further insight into the church’s past. The building remains an unassuming yet elegant example of 18th-century architecture.