Rush Sunday is one of the highlights of Bristol's civic calendar, upholding a tradition which goes back over 500 years.
William Canynges of Redcliffe Street - merchant, five-times Mayor of Bristol, its MP and a principal benefactor of St Mary Redcliffe - was ordained priest after the death of his wife in 1467 and first celebrated Mass in the church on Whitsunday the following year.
To commemorate this, William Spenser, also sometime Mayor of Bristol, made provision in 1493 for three sermons to be preached before the Mayor and commonalty on the days after Whitsun; a change to one sermon on Whitsunday was made at the time of the Reformation.
Those attending carried nosegays and the floor of the church was strewn with rushes, traditions that are maintained to this day in the service held annually ever since and attended by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the City in their traditional robes and regalia.
The Rush Service is open to anyone who would like to come and take part. As for many of our services, St Mary Redcliffe can be very full.
Please book your free ticket to be certain of your place.
This event will be live streamed
A collection will be taken during the service that will support the mission of St Mary Redcliffe. If you would like to donate online, you can do so here
Please click the link and choose Rush Sunday as your donation option.
Additional access information
The Great Bristol Run will be taking place on 19 May and some roads in Bristol City Centre will be closed as a result. Information about closures in Redcliffe can be viewed here (see Zone 6).
