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Lee Barnes

The Unorthodox Vicar of Hotwells

Published for The Bristol Magazine


Due to the rapid kinesis of twenty first century living, fluidity within community is not only important, it is vital to the survival and continued positive evolution of modern society. Such evolution is only possible through the innovators: those of us who take life, embrace it, shake it and push it to the limit. Such a person is the Reverend Lee Barnes, vicar of Holy Trinity, Hotwells and St Stephens.

“In this world, there are generally two types of people; pioneers and settlers,” Lee says. “I’m a pioneer; I like the experience of brand-new people and places. I see being a human in this amazing world as a gift. The joy, sorrows and tears and laughter that life throws our way are all part of this.”

For the large part of his twenties during the hedonistic 1990s, Lee travelled all over the world; first of all, around the UK, stumbling on the concept of faith via fellow travellers, learning the craft of hitch-hiking by chance. Initially incredulous, then inspired, Lee took the cue from this impromptu source, beginning his investment in the power of the faith, that would eventually lead him to Australia, and to God.

“The power of faith is in sharp relief when you’re travelling. It’s that unshakable belief that things will just work out in the end, no matter what, no matter if your home is non-existent, or if you’re not sure where the next sleep or meal will come from”.

Gaining hitching confidence, Lee explored America, then began on Australia. “I was quite broken inside at this time, even though on the surface I seemed to all intents and purposes, fairly normal.”

This way of seat-of-the-pants travelling would daunt many people, especially us modern civilised humans, cushioned in our artificial world of hyper-organisation and hyper-awareness, brought about by the technology we carry in our pockets, our handbags and on our wrists. Not for Lee; “Hitch-hiking is a largely positive way of getting about, not least because it is totally immersive, meaning that you can get into a culture via immediate human connection. It is also an acutely intense way of travelling.”

On returning to the UK, Lee began his Christian journey, becoming increasingly pulled towards community work, eventually communicating this to his own vicar:

“I asked for an appointment with him and just burst out; ‘Look, don’t laugh, but I think God’s calling me to bae vicar.’ And he started laughing; ‘I’m only laughing because it’s taken you this long to see it.’

“I’ve realised since that a calling or vocation of any capacity is not just about us, it’s about other people from the outside seeing that it makes sense.”

To speak to Lee about Bristol is to strike a match; “I am completely blessed to live and work in the centre of Bristol. It’s a fantastically progressive part of the world; it’s got so many exciting things going on. It’s also got challenges like anywhere else. It’s got genuine issues that are obvious. It’s not a perfect city by any means, but I feel hugely influenced by the creativity and the number of exciting ideas and projects that are forged here.”

As well as his work in Bristol, every June Lee up sticks to head up the Sanctuary Marquee at Glastonbury Festival.

“I’ve been going to Glastonbury since 1992. I got involved with what is now known as the Sanctuary Marquee in2005. The Sanctuary Marquee is a Christian breathing space in the midst of the amazing energy of the festival. It is open for anyone, whether it’s simply to get out of the wind and rain, for those having a sudden crisis or even a wedding blessing. For those seeking answers, and for those seeking questions. We literally do not know what is around the corner every year.

“Almost every experience at the Sanctuary Marquee is a memorable one, but one incident a couple of years ago particularly tickled me. We decorate the tent every year with a different theme, and this particular year was Christmas. This guy who was totally out of it stumbled in the tent some time in the early hours of the morning, curling up for a sleep underneath our decorative Christmas tree. His face as he started waking up in the morning was absolutely priceless – he must have thought that he was in an alternative universe, or a really, really long trip that he was just coming out of and that he’d woken up a whole 7 months later.”

Trippy experiences aside, Lee and his dedicated team have worked tirelessly hard to make the Sanctuary Tent the beautiful preserve and festival staple that it is today, offering festivalgoers something beyond the music, art and partying.

“I wouldn’t be who I am without Jesus. But the adventure of being human is my central inspiration in life.” 



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