The Bristol Nine Book Review

2007 sees the centenary of what is now known, as Trinity-Henleaze Reformed Church. As well as hosting a series of celebratory events, Reverend Tracey Lewis and congregational colleagues Peter Miller, Evelyn and Bert Bentley, Graham Chamberlain and Sonia Glass have published a lovely book charting the history of the church - "100 Years of Life in our Church 1907 - 2007".

The book is clearly a labour of love and has involved the team in significant personal research, from trawling through the complete minutes from Deacons / Elders meetings since the formation of the Church (discovered in a dusty attic cupboard) to gaining personal recollections and anecdotes from local churchgoers past and present. The result is a beautifully presented local history, written in a down to earth and unstuffy style. Of course it will appeal to those who have on interest in the Church itself, as it follows a chronological path through the century looking at the characters and work of the sequence of Ministries. It tells of good times when, as the Henleaze Congregational Church, it was "the fastest growing Church in the South West" as well os providing an insiders background to a period known as "the troubles" when life in the Church was overshadowed by the tensions over differing beliefs about the order and form of worship. The book also provides a perspective on changes that have occurred within their religion, from a time when prayer and thanksgiving was an adult affair (a request to Church Elders in the early l920's to "find harmless recreation for young people who might otherwise go to questionable places" was met with the repost that "it was not the real work of the Church") to the ordination of women in the 1980's and the breadth of religious and charitable activity that Trinity-URC is involved in as it enters its second century.

The Church has never operated in isolation from the community in which it is situated and the story the book tells is just as much one of local history and social commentary. As such it will be of as much interest to local people of a less, or even a non-religious persuasion. Details are provided of aspects as diverse as the growth of Henleaze as a suburb, architectural history of the site, from initial construction at a cost of £5,503 to the future plans embodied in the current Henleaze @ Heart project, the role the Church and its staff and congregation played during the Bristol Blitz in World War2 (the Minister at the time doubled as an ARP Warden), the heartbreak of the evacuation of local children to Cornwall, and the political! correctness of the Church "Young Wives Club".

"100 Years of Life in our Church" is a real joy to read - interesting, thought provoking and fun, and loaded with anecdotes, it is well worth the little outlay if costs. Published by Redcliffe Press at £6.99, it is available from Henleaze Post Office, the Durdham Down Bookshop on North View, and from the Church itself on the corner of Henleaze Road and Waterford Road. For more details you can also contact Reverend Tracey Lewis on 962 9713.

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http://www.trinityhenleazeurc.org.uk