Religious Denominations of Frampton Cotterell
Church of England
The original construction at ST. PETER'S CHURCH was built around 1080 AD; but this was replaced by a larger building dedicated in 1315 by the Bishop of Worcester in whose diocese we then were. The existing building was completed in 1857 by architect John Norton (1823-1904), who added a north aisle, also a chapel on the south side of the chancel, so the lower part of the tower is all that remains of the 14th century building. This restoration cost £10000 and was financed by William Charles Foxe M.B. the Assistant Curate. Inside is a 19th century parish chest, the former depository for church registers and administrative documents, that still preserves its original three locks, for only when the incumbent and two church wardens, each with their own keys were all present could the chest be opened.
Quakers
There is evidence for presence of Quakers in the village, seeking or being sought as marriage partners between Dec.1670 and July 1721. There was no regular meeting since they numbered less than two dozen, and Frenchay continues as the metropolis of local Quakerism.
Independents
In September 1794 Thomas Humphries (Manager at Frog Lane Colliery, Coalpit Heath) with five companions, produced a document castigating the spiritual condition of local inhabitants that laid the ground for opening the first ZION CHAPEL in August 1795. This building was altered with galleries being added in 1834 at which time the first long-serving minister began his appointment. He and his replacement were so successful that need for a larger building became obvious and this was built in 1873. Today it is no longer Independent or Congregational but a joint UNITED REFORMED / METHODIST CHURCH, only the third union of its kind in Britain.
Methodists
While John Wesley opened a chapel in 1787 at Winterbourne, it was George Pocock (1774-1843), a dissident Lay Methodist schoolmaster from Bristol, who brought Methodism to Frampton Cotterell while conducting a lively ‘Tent Methodist Mission’ (1818 to 1821) for his tents were capable of accommodating 500 people. He would not accept official Methodist control so was expelled between 1820-1835, yet by his efforts the first WESLEY CHAPEL was built 1821 on a site now occupied by 153 Church Road. Before its completion people perhaps met in a barn at Frampton End Lane, but the new chapel lacked financial support till it became Wesleyan Methodist property in 1834.
Fifteen years later schisms amongst the Methodist hierarchy caused members to leave and form more democratic congregations, so the Free Methodists built BETHEL CHAPEL in 1856 on a site now occupied by 17/19 Woodend Road then in 1887 HEBRON CHAPEL was built by Primitive Methodists, though that land is now occupied by 18 Ridgeway. As congregations were diminishing it was decided in 1967 to close all three Methodist chapels so their members united for worship at ZION CHAPEL.
Salvation Army
Four years after formation of the Salvation Army in London, an Army unit arrived in Frampton Cotterell in 1882, to premises in Clyde Road where it continued till 1956. The empty building was acquired by an electrical goods shop, but has since been demolished. The HALLELUJAH SPOT is a local name for the junction of Woodend Road with Lower Stone Close, for here the band led rousing choruses as members witnessed every week to their Christian faith before leading worshippers back to the Clyde Road citadel.
Christian Bretheren
A large tent was erected on the present Recreation Field in 1924 adjacent to the ‘Golden Lion’ to serve as a meeting place for the Bretheren led by William Stevens, an insurance agent from Kewstoke. They moved to a temporary wooden building nearby, until April 23rd 1928 when a GOSPEL HALL was opened at West Ridge. As attendances were declining post-War and their building became unsafe it was abandoned in 1956.