about hope

Our Origin Story

Hope Chapel began when a group of local Christians heard God leading them to start a Prayer Centre for Bristol. They providentially discovered the 200 year old Hope Chapel that had recently closed as a church, and were invited to begin a new church in the building in the year 2000. As the team went away to seek God about how to shape this church, three other dreams were added to the dream to build a prayer centre for the city. They’d met Andy, who sold the Big Issue in Clifton Village. He was interested in Jesus but the culture of church was too middle class and uncomfortable for him.

The dream to be a family for people on the margins of society came in part from this relationship with Andy and the desire to build a church where he would feel at home. Prompted by Jesus’ insistence that children have direct access to Him, another dream was to form a church that children love, where children would be central to the life of the church. The fourth dream was that Hope would be at the heart of the community. These four dreams continue to shape Hope’s focus today as we seek to be a flourishing community where people encounter Jesus, love one another and are connected with their calling.

Hope is a member of the Congregational Federation and works closely with other churches across Bristol, the UK and internationally. Hope is a UK registered charity (number 1134290).

Our Safeguarding policy can be viewed here.

Hope Staff and Elders

  • Charlie Carron

    Youth Pastor

    Charlie is Hope’s youth pastor. He’s a keen rugby player and also enjoys trying new places to eat in Bristol.

  • Helen Westbury

    Elder

    Helen’s a great carer, serving the Hope family breakfast on Sundays, and working in schools, and before that as a nurse, throughout the week.

  • Bill Drewett

    Elder (Chair)

    Bill works with steam engines and likes growing flowers and listening to grown up music.

  • Emma Drewett

    Elder + Treasurer

    Emma loves her work as a debt adviser, hanging out with friends and family and spending time by the sea.

  • Claire Allen

    Elder + Safeguarding Lead

    Claire loves being part of the Hope church family & is part of the Youth and Foodbank teams. She is a fan of live music and loves camping.

  • Hannah Lehmann

    Administrator

    Hannah oversees the organisational aspects of the church community and chapel building. She basically knows everything!

  • Chris Bond

    Senior Pastor // Elder

    Chris leads Hope with Alice. He draws the best out of people and is a great encourager.

  • Dylan Lindo-Jones

    Finance Administrator

    Dylan is the finance administrator at Hope. When he's not in a spreadsheet he enjoys making music and spending time outside or in the sea.

  • Esther Lambert

    Elder

    Esther’s been part of Hope Community Church from the start. She is a keen cook, gardener and loves her work alongside the homeless and vulnerable.

  • Meredith Remington

    Children's Pastor

    Meredith loves art and facilitating creative spaces. In her free time, you will find Meredith exploring cafes and charity shops across Bristol.

  • Aaron Mathias

    Caretaker

    Aaron is our caretaker, looking after the building and grounds. He also cooks for our Hope On Wednesday meals.

  • Peter Westbury

    Elder

    Peter brings rich church experience with an enthusiasm for what God is doing among us now.

  • Alice Bond

    Teaching Pastor // Elder

    Alice leads Hope with Chris. Her primary ministry focus is speaking and teaching.

  • Micah Partridge

    Youth Pastor Intern

    Micah is Hope’s Youth Pastor Intern. He loves training for triathlons, building Lego and watching F1.