The Lord Mayor's Chapel

The Lord Mayor's Chapel Open to Visitors

The Lord Mayor’s Chapel is the only remaining building of the Hospital of Saint Mark. When it was built in about 1230 it was connected to the Abbey of St Augustine, known today as Bristol Cathedral. The hospital provided food and care for 100 people every day. After the dissolution of the monasteries the chapel, then part of Gaunt’s Hospital, was leased to Sir Edward Carne and then in 1540, it was acquired by Bristol Corporation (now Bristol City Council). Over the next 200 years the hospital site including the Chapel was used by many organisations including Queen Elizabeth Hospital School for Boys, Redmaids’ High School, and the Society of Merchant Venturers. It offered religious refuge to notable figures like John Wesley and The Huguenots. In 1722 The Lord Mayor’s Chapel became the official place of worship of the Lord Mayor of Bristol and has remained so ever since. It is a remarkable place that has endured the most significant religious upheaval in England, and it remains a gem of our city’s hidden history. Since 2023 Bristol Cathedral has cared for the Chapel, and an active community participate in worship every Sunday. Spotters Trail This trail is for anyone and everyone, but especially for young people and families who want to explore the Chapel in more detail and discover some hidden secrets. Follow the footsteps around the trail and complete as many challenges as you can.