East Street Baptist Church Legacy
Honouring a legacy, carrying the story forward
For well over a century, East Street Baptist Church faithfully served the people of Bedminster and South Bristol.
Founded in 1884, the church was planted in the heart of a growing, working community. From its prominent building on East Street, generations of people encountered Jesus, were baptised, discipled, married, comforted, and sent out. Through times of growth and hardship, peace and war, East Street Baptist Church stood as a steady Christian presence in the everyday life of the area.
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This was a church shaped by faithfulness rather than fame, rooted in Scripture, prayer, and service, and committed to being present right where life was happening. Over time, it also carried the story of other local Baptist congregations, including the Bedminster Tabernacle which joined with East Street, ensuring that people and gospel witness were gathered rather than lost.
After nearly 120 years of ministry, the East Street chapel ceased to be used as a home for public worship. That moment did not mark failure, but the completion of a long and fruitful season. The legacy of the time in that building lives on in countless lives shaped by ministry there, many of whom have continued to serve Jesus across Bristol and beyond meeting in different places and through different expressions.
What is happening now?
Today, Counterslip Baptist Church is grateful to be receiving and carrying forward the legacy of East Street Baptist Church.
Following the sale of the historic East Street building, the proceeds were invested in shops with a flat above on North Street, Bedminster. These rented properties now provide an ongoing income that enables mission rather than maintenance.
In a very real sense, what once supported a single church building is now being transformed into resources for new gospel presence across South Bristol.
Looking ahead with hope
As Counterslip absorbs the story and legacy of East Street Baptist Church, we do so with deep gratitude and clear purpose.
Together, we are prayerfully working towards planting four new congregations across South Bristol over the next 10–15 years. Each new church will be a place where people can encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and serve their local community, just as East Street Baptist Church did for generations before us.
The story is not ending.
It is being multiplied.
What began on East Street continues on, and will, by God’s grace, spread into neighbourhoods across South Bristol, carrying the same gospel, the same hope, and the same desire to see lives transformed by Jesus.
We honour the past.
We steward the present.
We step into the future with faith.