Broadmead Baptist Church in the heart of Bristol’s Broadmead shopping centre has been Grade II listed, following the support of C20 Society. Built between 1967 and 1969 to the designs of architect Ronald H Sims, this striking example of post-war church architecture is known locally as the ‘Brutalist church above the shops’ – incongruously, a Tesco Express.

Sims’ building was conceived as a ‘Baptist cathedral of the West’ and was always intended to be a place for a worshipping congregation among the shops. It continues to offer a quiet space for workers and shoppers today. The church retains plaques and memorabilia from the three previous church buildings on the site, commemorating the long history of nonconformist worship.

The Brutalist building has an unusual configuration, with retail on the ground floor providing footfall and a source of income for the church facilities above. The exterior of the church incorporates bold structural forms in contrasting materials, such as the roughly textured corduroy concrete shell and fine white concrete edging. The roof is one of the symbolic features of the building, with its white V-shaped beam ends resembling doves in flight.

Walking up the stairs from the muted lobby to the bright upper floors, represents the spiritual ascent from darkness into light. The high-quality interior features a sculptural timber screen known as the ‘Crowd of Witnesses’ which brings focus to the baptismal pool and echoes the work of celebrated Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. The Society also saw parrallels with Paul Rudolph’s First Church of Boston, Massachusetts (1972).

A laminated timber fleche (slender spire) was removed shortly after the church opened; quick to decay this ‘elegant space needle’ apparently posed a risk to shopper below. This is unfortunate, yet is a relatively minor loss – the building’s elevations otherwise survive remarkably well.

Catherine Croft, C20 Director, commented:

“Bristol’s Broadmead Baptist Church is one of the best examples of how it pays to look up: above the dreary façade of a mini-supermarket is a riot of sculptural, expressive concrete forms dancing against the skyline.

With a corduroy concrete façade and v-shaped canopies on the outside, and a light-filled hall with jutting timber-clad balconies on the inside, this is British Brutalism at its playful best – it’s fantastic to see it added to the national list.”