THE BIGGEST STORIES ACROSS BRISTOL IN YOUR INBOX SIGN UP Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A group of fundamentalist Christians were thrown out of Bristol’s famous Wesleyan New Room chapel by police and other Christians today after trying to disrupt a church service being held to support Bristol Pride.

The hardline Christian Concern group set up outside the New Room in Broadmead, and twice stormed in where a group of other Christians from across Bristol were holding a church service in support of the city’s LGBT+ community.

That group, Christians At Pride, then joined the Pride parade, and received a rapturous reception as they gave out flyers with the message that they supported Bristol’s LGBT+ community and backed the ethos of Pride.

But that group had to have their church service guarded by police, as the fundamentalist Christian Concern group - which advocates that Christians should not tolerate homosexuality - lobbied and then disrupted the service.

(Image: Bristol live)

They tried to disrupt it twice, and one of the fundamentalists was led away by police shouting ‘John Wesley would be turning in his grave’.

They then set up at the entrance to Broadmead to preach to those taking part in the Pride parade, just as the pro-Pride Christian group they had disrupted earlier, were passing - and had their own preaching interrupted by counter-preaching.

Elaine Sommers, from Christians at Bristol Pride, was one of those church-goers from around Bristol who came together to support Pride.

The group joined the parade, and were cheered as they handed out leaflets proclaiming ‘God affirms you’, to the LGBT community on the streets.

(Image: Bristol live)

She said the group protesting outside the service New Room Chapel in Broadmead came in and disrupted their service, trying to preach over them.

“It was dealt with with love, they were shown out. All we can do is love them”

“We are LGBT people, family and friends and supporters who just believe the Christian message is for everyone.

(Image: Bristol live)

“I fully understand why LGBT people might feel that Christians are against them and I’ve felt that myself, but times are changing and many people within the church believe as we do.

“With the protestors, all we can do is love them. They are entitled to their opinion but I do not agree with them,” she added.