Our Building

    The Church was built and opened in 1964 but the beginning goes back to the 1950s.After the bombing in WWII, new housing estates were built.  Stockwood lay in the parishes of St. Luke's, Brislington and Christ Church, Hengrove. Both were jointly responsible for work of the Church in Stockwood. 

    In January 1954 the Sturminster Road community centre opened and a Sunday School started with 250 children aged 4 to 14 years of age. Once a month Communion was held in surrounding homes--about 15 attended. In 1960 the new Curate at St. Luke's lived in Dutton Road, Stockwood, with a one room chapel so that Communion and Evensong could be held every Sunday. As Stockwood grew the Sunday School moved to the Scout Hut in Tibbott Road because it was more central. 

    About this time, money which was paid in compensation for the loss of the churches of Bristol, caused by the war, became available to build new churches and it was decided that Stockwood was an area where there was a great need. Several sites were considered for the new church; Sturminster Road, the site of The Antelope public house, Craydon Road where the Roundhouse was built and finally in Stockwood Road where the church now stands.

     It was the first Church in the world to be dedicated to Christ the Servant. The dedication was by the Bishop of Bristol on February 8th 1964.  Robin Morrell was the first vicar. A second dedication was carried out in 1969 when the Nave was completed.

    The church was built in two phases in 1964 and 1969. The architect was the late Ralph Edwards. Phase one was the Chancel and side Chapel. Phase two saw the construction of the Nave where the congregation faced the East Wall. There are two modern stained glass windows by Belgian artist, Pierre Fourmaintraux. In the side Chapel there is a stained glass window "Christ in Glory" and on the South Wall there are a range of long windows depicting the colours of the rainbow.

     In design, it is a modern Church constructed of cream brick with an impressive wooden ceiling. The font and the altar are made of granite. The altar is freestanding with access all round and an altar rail on three sides. The Kneeler was designed by Brenda Johnston who took her inspiration from the stained glass window.  It was stitched by many members of the Church and their prayers were incorporated when it was made up. 

    The parish consists of all the properties at the top of the hill, the Craydon Road area and, going down the hill, the properties south of the Antelope Public House to the bottom of the hill. As our church is dedicated to Christ The Servant, our Patronal festival is on Maundy Thursday. On this day the clergy wash the feet of the congregation, well some of them anyway! At the Last Supper Jesus washed the Disciples' feet which is an act of a servant.

Our church has a hospitality arrangement with the local Roman Catholic Church who use our building for Sunday and Friday worship as well as Holy days.

Bishop Mike Hill consecrated Christ the Servant on February 8th 2004, on the 40th anniversary of its dedication. Shortly afterwards our Memorial Garden was opened.