Temple Church

Temple Church stands in Redcliffe, Bristol, on the site of a round church built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century. It occupies land granted to them by Robert of Gloucester, a key figure in the region’s history. The church later passed to the Knights Hospitaller before becoming a parish church for Temple Fee. By the 15th century, it had been rebuilt as a rectangular structure with a leaning west tower. The church survived centuries of change but was heavily damaged in the Bristol Blitz of 1940. The church’s history includes notable events such as the 1788 exorcism of George Lukins, conducted by Methodist and Anglican clergy. It also played a role in Bristol’s medieval cloth trade, with chapels linked to weavers and merchants. The bombing destroyed much of the structure, though some fittings survived and were relocated to other churches. The site is now a Grade II* listed building and a scheduled monument, cared for by English Heritage. Visitors find a roofless shell with standing arcades and surviving details like the wrought-iron parclose screens. The leaning tower, its tilt caused by soft ground, remains a striking feature. Some artefacts, including a 15th-century candelabrum, are preserved in Bristol Cathedral. The churchyard and nearby archway add to the site’s atmosphere, while occasional performances bring new life to the ruins.