All God’s Children
All God’s Children is Bristol Cathedral’s permanent exhibition exploring the Cathedral’s connections to the transatlantic trade in enslaved people. Through stories, memorials and research, it invites visitors to engage with a complex history and reflect on its continuing impact today.
Visiting the Exhibition
All God’s Children is located in the South Quire Aisle and is available whenever Bristol Cathedral is open.
The exhibition explores the impact of the slave economy on Cathedral life, past and present. It forms part of the Cathedral’s work to understand its links with the transatlantic trade in enslaved people and to encourage conversation about the ways we can repair damaged relationships and work together for a better future.
Why Was the Exhibition Created?
The Bible teaches us that every person is loved and valued by God. Yet throughout history, Christians have not always lived up to those beliefs.
For centuries, some of the people who worshipped, were buried or memorialised within Bristol Cathedral were involved in the transatlantic trade in enslaved people and the wider slavery-based economy. Their wealth and influence became part of the Cathedral’s story, while the experiences of those who suffered through enslavement were often overlooked.
As we seek to be a place of welcome for all, we believe it is important to engage honestly with this history. All God’s Children was created to help tell these stories, acknowledge the lasting impact of slavery, and create space for learning, reflection and conversation.
Researching the Cathedral’s Past
To create All God’s Children, researchers examined the lives of people buried or memorialised within Bristol Cathedral and its grounds between 1670 and 1900.
During this period, approximately 1,000 people were buried or commemorated here. Research found that around 200 of them had close connections to the slavery-based economy.
This research helped uncover stories that had often gone untold and continues to inform the Cathedral’s wider work around history, heritage and racial justice.
An Ongoing Conversation
When the exhibition first opened in 2022, visitors were invited to share their thoughts on how Bristol Cathedral should respond to the histories it revealed.
Their feedback has helped shape the Cathedral’s continuing work and contributed to wider conversations about remembrance, justice and reconciliation.
Racial Justice at Bristol Cathedral
All God’s Children forms part of Bristol Cathedral’s wider commitment to racial justice.
Find out more about our ongoing work, current projects, creative commissions and the Cathedral’s Racial Justice Strategy.
