St Paul and St Stephen Gloucester Gloucestershire

Who we are

What are we like? From all sorts of backgrounds, countries and races. Some of us have been going to church since we were babies, and some of us are very new to it. Some of us believe very deeply, and some of us hang on to faith by our fingertips as much as we can.

Some of us are in families, and some of us live on our own. We’re a real mix of real people, all different ages, from all sorts of backgrounds, countries and races. We think we’re a relaxed and friendly community and we’d love to welcome you to our services.

We value our Anglican liturgy and all our worship centres around Holy Communion.

We love children and they are very welcome at our services. We have toys, puzzles, space and usually special groups for children during our 10.00am service. Sunday by Sunday, and many days in between, we gather together to worship and we find that God is always in our midst, giving us hope and peace and strength for our often complex lives.

Sunday by Sunday, and many days in between, we gather together to worship and we find that God is always in our midst, giving us hope and peace and strength for our often complex lives. Some of us believe very deeply and some of us hang on to faith by our fingertips as much as we can. All are welcome – we’d love you to join us.

 

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Download Pastor Rev. Ruth Fitter vCard

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https://www.stpaulstephenglos.org.uk/  

 

 

The Church St Paul and Stephen is situated at a busy crossroads on the edge of the city centre – we are one mile away from Gloucester Cathedral.  

We do not have a car park, but you can park in the roads off Stroud Road  

 

 

 

History of St Stephen’s

In 1895 an appeal was issued for a ‘church for the people’ to be built in the parish of St Luke, Gloucester, the population of which was described as ‘largely composed of mechanics, artisans and dock labourers’. The new church was to be the Parish Church, and the existing church was planned to be retained as a Mission Church. The cost of the new church, complete with an imposing tower, was estimated at £6,000.

The church of St Luke was situated in church street between Llanthony Road and where Gloucester quays is now situated. It was demolished in 1935.

The Rev: H. Proctor, vicar of St Luke’s laboured with tremendous energy to raise the money and bring the task to fruition. The Rev: Proctor himself purchased the site and gave it to the parish as well as land for a vicarage. unfortunately, difficulties arose, the Gloucester smallpox epidemic of 1896 and the outbreak of the Boer War meant that the money appealed for could not be raised and it was decided to erect the church by sections.

1898-1909: Building work and consecration

On October 24th 1898, Lady Darell laid the foundation stone of the first section, the chancel, lady chapel, vestries and three bays of the nave. This portion was completed in 1900 and was consecrated as St Luke the Less by Bishop Elliot on Thursday October 18th 1900. in 1909 the original scheme was abandoned and the parish was divided, St Luke the Less becoming a separate parish.

1926-1930: Completion of the church

Another world crisis, the 1914 – 1918 war engaged the nation’s energies and it was not until 1926 that the completion of the church could be contemplated. In 1926 the Rev: E. C. Pritchard was appointed vicar and set to work with great energy to organise the completion of the church. By 1928 the local funds had increased to £2,400 and a large grant of over £3,600 was made from the Bishop’s Appeal Fund.

Work was started on a modified design made by Mr H. A. Dancey from Mr W. Plank’s original design and on Palm Sunday 1930 the Duchess of Beaufort unveiled a stone recording the completion of the church in its final form. On the following Holy Saturday, bishop Headlam dedicated the completed church to the glory of GOD under the name of St Stephen. The church continued to serve the parish faithfully until its closure in 2010.

2010: The last service

The last service at St. Stephen’s was held on September 1st 2010. Bishop Michael led the service, with the Rev Gilly Hubbard, Archdeacon Geoffrey Sidaway, Rev Ricarda Witcombe and Sister Cynthia Kerr (Church Army).

History of St Paul’s

Gloucester expanded rapidly in Victorian times, as industry was attracted by the docks and the coming of the railways. Before then our area had a country feel and was called the South Hamlet. However, by around 1880, it had become part of the city, and a place where ‘whole new streets of symmetrical artisan dwellings are springing up’. There was a ‘pressing need’ for a new church to provide for the rapidly increasing population. Some forty architects submitted plans for its design, and the contract was awarded to a local man, named Capel Tripp. The builder was also a local man, Alfred King of Barton Street. On 12th April 1882, the foundation stone was laid, by the Mayor of Gloucester, before ‘a considerable number of spectators’, despite heavy rain. At first, the building was called the Raikes Memorial Church, and a national appeal was made to all connected with Sunday Schools to contribute funds. This was because 1880 was the centenary of the Sunday School movement, and a permanent memorial to Robert Raikes seemed appropriate in his home town of Gloucester. Unfortunately, this appeal proved unsuccessful, and the dedication was soon changed to St Paul’s. Funds were raised by local donations and grants, and around £6,500 (equivalent to over £500,000 today) was obtained.

Capel Tripp’s Design

The church was consecrated, by the Bishop of Gloucester, on 11th October 1883. Alfred King (the builder) was present in the congregation, but Capel Tripp (the architect) had died some months beforehand, aged only 38.

The new church was in the Early English Gothic style, with pointed arches in the nave, and tall, fairly narrow lancet windows. The rather spectacular high arch above the sanctuary was commented on, as was the fact that the sanctuary extended to occupy the first bay of the nave. There was room for around 600 people in the nave, mostly seated on benches, with the children’s benches on the north side (on the left hand side, as you sit in the nave, facing eastwards towards the sanctuary). To the south (right) of the sanctuary was the organ, donated by the first vicar Rev WHS Davies. Rev Davies evidently served without pay for some months, until the parish of St Paul’s was officially formed, and the church officially endowed, in 1884. The present large font was probably present at the consecration, and was given by Archdeacon Scobell of Gloucester. It has been described as ‘a sturdy round bowl on eight marble shafts’.

Two parts of Capel Tripp’s design were not completed, owing to lack of funds. The nave was stopped two bays short of its proposed western (Stroud Road) end, with a temporary end-wall erected – this remained until 1938-39. Also, a tower was originally intended, in the south east (Stroud Road/Parkend Road) corner of the building. This was partially built and was roofed over to give the present porch.

1980s: West End conversion

The most recent refurbishment came in the 1980s, under Rev Michael Barnard, when the west end of the nave was converted into a church hall, kitchen, meeting room and toilets. The sanctuary was reordered by removing a screen that used to stand between it and the nave, and introducing the present contemporary altar.

Vicarage and Parish Room

The original vicarage was the house opposite the church, across Stroud Road, it is now St Paul’s Nursing Home. It was designed by Waller & Son, the diocesan architects, in 1889-90. The present vicarage is a short way along King Edwards Avenue, and was purchased by the church in 1952. There was originally a Parish Room, in Tredworth Road, next to Tredworth School, which is now the New Apostolic Church. This is constructed of red brick with black bands, and was designed by Medland & Son in 1888 – interestingly Mr Medland was the architect who had trained Capel Tripp.