St Paul’s is a community music, arts and events venue where creativity can find its voice

In the heart of Clifton and the University quarter, St Paul’s Church in Bristol is an ideal venue for concerts, recitals, rehearsals, performance, and community theatre. We also have a lovely hall and kitchen suitable for all manner of events from community meetings to children’s parties.

Our spaces for hire are:

• The Church with its great acoustic, a lovely performing area and an excellent concert grand piano. It’s also a great place for university or school church services, concerts and productions. The soaring nave and chancel complement the acoustic with a lovely visual space including opus sectile mosaics, stained glass windows, ornate tiling and a pulpit.

• The Upper Room, our hall with adjacent kitchen, is a flexible space ideal for community meetings, groups, parties and exercise classes.

• The Julian Chapel, a sacred space for quiet conversation, suitable for small groups.

St Paul’s is a worshipping community within the Church of England and aims to be a truly inclusive place where all welcomed without expectation. Please get in touch with enquiries or to arrange a visit:  highburypartnership@gmail.com | 0117 973 3395

The Church

The main church has a great acoustic, a lovely performing area and an excellent concert grand piano. It’s a great space for university or school church services, concerts, dance classes and community theatre productions.

The soaring nave and chancel complement the acoustic with a lovely visual space including opus sectile mosaics, stained glass windows, ornate tiling and a pulpit.

• Bechstein Grand Piano
• Fully tuned Pipe Organ
• Audio Equipment and PA system
• Wi-fi throughout
• Wheelchair / pushchair Access
• ‘Green room’ with kitchenette
• Beautiful wooden dais / stage for up to 30
• Seating for 250
• Toilets and Baby changing facility on the same level
• 4 breakout areas / interval drinks space
• Access to main kitchen by arrangement

The Julian Chapel 

A sacred space for quiet conversation, suitable for small groups.

We ask that people are mindful that the Julian Chapel is a working chapel, and so it’s best suited to quiet discussion and contemplation.

• Flexible seating for 12
• Cosy and peaceful
• Room to breathe and think
• Room dimensions: 5.2m x 5.2m

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the venue’s capacity?

Usually, the church can host 250 seated guests. From July 2021, people wishing to hire the spaces will be required to undertake their own covid risk assessment with respect to seated capacity.

Is it accessible?

Yes, there is wheelchair accessibility through the side entrance and throughout the ground floor. There are two fully accessible toilets on the ground floor. 

Is there parking?

There are public parking bays on St Paul’s Road. You will need to pay for this parking at the rate set by the local Council. We do not have private off-road parking.  

Is there a PA?

Yes, we have a PA system suitable for speech and two head microphones. If you have any live music such as a band, they will need to bring their own PA system.

What infrastructure is available?

We have 6 large trestle tables that can seat 6-8 people. We have 50 upright chairs too, as well as 8 or so armchairs around coffee tables in the aisle areas, and of course the pews in the nave. 

There is a smaller kitchenette situated in the vestry, and we can set up a station to serve drinks in the main church including an urn for hot drinks. We have ample mugs and glasses as well as access to serving dishes, crockery and cutlery at a small additional charge.

We’re happy to be flexible in the use of our equipment, just ask.

Do I have to bring my own lighting?

Our lighting system has lots of variety but is not super bright, so you may wish to provide your own lighting for your event. Naked flames are not permitted.

Can I bring my own décor?

Yes of course. There are plenty of areas you are welcome to use such as the foyer, our beautiful deep window sills, the pew-ends and the pulpit.

Access, when can I drop off kit and other items?

If your events is on a Saturday then most of the time Friday night. If it is a weekday then you can most likely set up the previous day. Just speak to our Building Manager for confirmation. 

You can leave small items in the vestry (in its role as green room!) until Monday if your event is on the Saturday. Large kit such as PAs for bands will need to be taken with the band / hirer on the night. 

Will one of the St Paul’s team be on site?

We usually offer the space on a dry hire basis – without one of us on site. We will share the mobile number of one our team who can help with any queries on the day, or get here in an emergency.

Catering – can I bring my own?

We are unlicensed, so although you are welcome to offer refreshments including alcoholic drinks, they will have to be served on a ‘donations’ basis.

There’s a kitchenette in the vestry that hirers are welcome to use when preparing drinks, and you’re welcome to set up a refreshments station in the main church.   

If you need full kitchen facilities, you may wish to look at hiring the Upper Room, which has a full kitchen that can cater for up to 50.

You may be able to bring outdoor caterers / a festival-like catering van onto the front garden or parking immediately outside the church – please discuss any ideas like this with us.

What are our hire rates?

We offer exclusive hire on Monday – Saturday, and sometimes on Sunday afternoons/evenings.

Concessions are available for students, community groups and local residents and for regular and block bookings.

In particular:

• students are able to book the church and Upper Room in return for a suggested donation of £12/session
• contributors to the annual University concert series are able to book the church free of charge in return for taking a retiring collection which is used to support St Paul’s costs

All hires are subject to the terms and conditions of our Hire Agreement including agreement to abide by our Safeguarding Policy. The following standard rates are subject to a minimum charge of £45.

• St Paul’s Church £30/hr – £250/day
• The Upper Room £20/hr – £150/day
• The Julian Chapel £15/hr
• Supplement for use of the main kitchen – £20/session and refundable cleaning/damages deposit

In the neighbourhood

On our doorstep you’ll find The Victoria Ale House, an independently run craft beer pub, Clifton Lido with its outdoor swimming pool and restaurant, and a number of good hotels on St Paul’s Road.

Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge and Clifton Village with its independent shops are just a few minutes’ walk from us, across Victoria Square Gardens, or you can head into the city with plenty of shops on The Triangle and Park Street, and stunning views of the harbour from Brandon Hill.

 We’re committed to sharing these beautiful spaces – please direct enquiries or arrange a visit by emailing our Parish Administrator at  highburypartnership@gmail.com  or by calling 0117 973 3395. Thank you.