St Bonaventures is a large town church, in the 13th century Gothic style, built at the start of the twentieth century for the Franciscans. The Franciscan Order was invited to return to Bristol by Bishop Clifford in 1889. Friars Minor from Forest Gate (East London) arrived and purchased the current site, which was formerly part of Shadwell Farm, later that year. A school (since replaced) was built in 1890, incorporating a chapel. In this was baptised in 1891 William Joseph Slim, the wartime commander and later Governor General of Australia. The friary building was built next, in 1891-2; the report of the laying of the foundation stone in The Tablet stated:.
‘The part now undertaken is intended to contain porch, hall, reception rooms, porter’s room, study, library, and friars’ cells and cloisters, which will in the future be continued to form the quadrangle. The total length of the portion now under consideration will be 108 feet, and the width 33 feet. The style of the friary will be domestic Gothic of the 15th century, but rather severe in style, in order to be in accordance with the Franciscan rule. The building will be of local stone, with dressings of Bath stone.
Work started on the church in July 1900, and the building was opened by Bishop Clifford on 14 March 1901. The furnishing of the sanctuary followed as funds permitted. The high altar was designed and built by one of the friars, and three stained glass windows depicting Franciscan saints were fitted at the east end in 1906. Following a bequest, the west end and the confessionals, sacristy, belfry and Lady Chapel were added in 1907-09.
In 1923 a pietà was installed in the church as a memorial to the parish dead of the First World War and in 1927 the hanging rood was installed at the chancel arch. A parish hall was built in 1932 and on 13 June 1936 the completed church was consecrated by Bishop Lee.
In 1963 the parish hall was replaced by a large new social club, Greyfriars, and in 1974 a new primary school replaced that of 1890 on the adjoining land. The church was reordered in 1975, when the Bevan high altar and reredos were removed. However, the tabernacle from this altar was set up on the Lady altar, to create a new Blessed Sacrament Chapel. New sanctuary furnishings were provided, including a replacement font, but these have not survived subsequent reordering. The original font was transferred from the baptistery to the southeast porch, where it served as a stoup; it is now back in the church.
In 1980 the Franciscans handed the care of the parish over to the diocese. The friary became a presbytery and offices (for Cafod and Life). The church was redecorated and new lighting installed in 1997; a crypt chapel dedicated to St Therese of Lisieux was opened at the same time. Parish returns at this time show a Sunday congregation of about 1100; by 2013 this figure had halved, but the congregation remains one of the largest in the city.
The geocache is hidden a short walk from the church. Please be careful when retrieving and replacing as this area is quite muggle rich! There is roadside parking on the nearby streets, but this is a very busy area with narrow roads, and this area is particularly busy at school drop off/pick up times. There are good public transport links on the Gloucester Road, which is just a 5-10 minute walk away.
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