Zion Bristol Ltd

Zion is a Community Hub in Bedminster Down, where everyone is welcome. We provide a warm safe space for community groups to run, our cafe is open 9-5pm every weekday and we put on an array of affordable events. Although originally a church, Zion was bought in 2011 by Jess Wright, who lovingly crafted Zion into an essential and well loved hub in Bedminster Down. In the Summer of 2022, members of the community, local businesses and grant organisations came together to purchase Zion as a community share offer! Meet The Team Emma Centre Manager Sadie Cafe Manager Bianca Kitchen Manager Natalie Bar Manager Stuart Cafe Assistant Manager Dan Community Outreach Rosa Programme Coordinator Meet The Directors Martin Sereena Hannah Aimee Claire The History of Zion Back in 2011, Bristol resident Jess Wright purchased an empty Methodist chapel with a loan from Triodos Bank. Once a focus for the local community of Bedminster Down, this historic chapel had been left derelict after the congregation could no longer afford to sustain it. Jess wanted to breathe life back into this beautiful building, a real landmark in BS13. She also wanted to create a much-needed community centre in a residential area with few social or cultural venues. She wanted a place where people of all ages and backgrounds (especially those who were isolated or excluded) could meet to improve wellbeing on a personal and community level. Using a small start-up budget of £5,000 (her own money), Jess began renovating the building. Thanks to the support of a small team of volunteers, Zion opened its doors to the community once again; this time as a small-scale café serving coffee and cakes, and offering a few extras such as film nights and kids’ creative sessions. Over the past 11 years, Zion Community Art Space has become ever more popular. It attracts 15,000 people a year and is now open at least five days a week, offering: a daytime community café that serves freshly made food at an affordable price a broad programme of over 200 events and activities a year, ranging from quiz nights and children’s workshops, to live music, theatre, talks and food events regular daytime drop-in groups such as a Memories Café, Creative Writing Group, Local History Group and Breast-Feeding Support an indoor and outdoor private hire venue for weddings, parties and other celebrations