This is where we came from, and where we are going...

While there are many churches dedicated jointly to St Philip and St James, the name of this church is different. Not only does it represent two ancient foundations the tenth century Priory of St Philip and the early medieval church of St Jacob-in-the-Market, but, it has kept the original Saxon form of James' name, Jacob. Since the 1960s the church has been affectionately known as Pip 'n' Jay.

The Church is situated on the oldest site of Christian worship in Bristol.

It has always been Evangelical. In the 18th Century The Wesley brothers and Whitfield were welcomed to the pulpit, when other Churches closed their doors to them.

Like many City Centre Churches industry moved into the parish and the population moved out. In 1962 the Bishop of Bristol decided to close the Church at the end of 1964. God had other plans. At the end of 1963 a small group of young Christians began to attend the Church. They appealed against the Bishop's decision to close. They were given a chance to prove themselves and did. Taking as their motto Matthew 6:33 they understood "seeking first God's kingdom" to mean a programme of evangelism at home and mission abroad. they believed if they gave generously to missions, God would make it up to them.

In their 30 years together they gave over £1 million away. At Easter in 2003 the £2 million total was passed. By the time Canon Malcolm Widdecombe retired in 2009, over £3 million had been given away, and the church continues to give most of its income to mission.