When Zion Chapel was built in 1795  its graveyard was accessed via Upper Chapel Lane. The larger Chapel opened in 1873 with burials continuing until the graveyard filled up during 1940s although interments were still possible in existing plots. As it fell into disuse, brambles & weeds made this graveyard unsightly and dangerous. Following publicity in 1985 the Church authorities removed the gravestones and fixed headstones with a legible inscription along one wall. A plan for each grave was prepared also a register compiled from the legible inscriptions. This database of 230 names represents 50% of graves some details exist for a further 20% while the remaining 30% of graves were unknown. The grave of Rev. William Howell remains in situ. because during his ministry the newer chapel was built but he never preached there having died suddenly aged 34yr only a few weeks before its opening.

 

The cleared graveyard is converted into a garden of remembrance, an area for peaceful contemplation, and contains some seed-bearing shrubs to provide food and nesting for birds while the grass grows above 4 inches to encourage meadow flowers.

Database transcribed by Graham Hayter

 

Details of the names of those buried in the graveyard are listed:-

 

Zion United Church

Methodist/URC, Frampton Cotterell

Bristol BS36 2HY

Zion Graveyard