As we pass the halfway point in our interpretation project with the Churches Conservation Trust, St John on the Wall in Bristol is the latest church to enhance its offering to visitors.

The interpretation takes you back to the church’s medieval period and helps visitors get to know some of the people linked to the church, as well as an insight to the major events from the church’s earliest day to when it was adopted and cared for by the Trust.

A vaulted crypt is situated under the main church. Here, we installed a film experience which takes the visitor on a journey through some of St John’s and Bristol’s key events. Royal visits, war, rebellion and murder all feature. In the upper church, the client team asked for a welcome desk and impactful structure hanging above that would surprise visitors. We took inspiration from the church’s stained glass window and delivered a contemporary, yet fitting, desk and hanging light structure to give a truly ‘inspiring’ experience.

Heading into the nave, visitors will find the brightly coloured lost property hub which holds a variety of items from the medieval period which have been linked to medieval churchgoers. Many of the items were discovered in customs accounts, so are a true reflection of trading goods which were moving in and out of the city. The items include three-fingered gloves, a chewit pie and a Latin bible. Looking through retro viewing wheels, visitors can explore how the church used to look like in the past, or come right up to date by visiting the 'selfie' station which has props and a picture frame so that you can Facebook, Tweet or Instagram a picture from your visit.

Three churches down, two to go. Keep an eye out for our work at St Peter’s in Northampton and Holy Trinity Goodramgate in York.