Church of St Lawrence (EHER 3244)

A parish church with mid 13th century nave and chancel, 14th century south porch and early 16th century west tower. The church has been restored in 19th century with additions of vestry and organ chamber. A watching brief carried out in Oct 1989 during stripping of some external rendering and internal plaster revealed Roman brick and tile.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. Parish Church of St Lawrence which stands in the village. The church walls are probably of rubble, but are entirely covered with cement; the dressings are of limestone and the roofs are tiled. The Chancel and Nave were built about the middle of the 13th century. About the middle of the 14th century the South Porch was added and the West Tower was added early in the 16th century. The Church was restored in modern times. Features and fittings include: 13th, 14th, an early 16th century windows; 14th century north doorway; early 16th century west doorway; and a late 14th century bell, said to be inscribed; with a inscription plate from a brass of around 1520. There are two slabs with traces of indents; a late 12th or 13th century font (photo in RCHM); a 16th century funeral helm on south wall of chancel; 13th century piscinae. <1> <2> <3> Site Assessment = Heavily mutilated building of uncertain age. The church was much altered in 1840 with additions of vestry and organ chamber.. Internally the walls are cement-rendered, all stone dressings much obscured by plaster or limewash. Exterior is a thorough mess of quasi-rendering. Assessment is impossible, but clearly there are early remains to be found, perhaps in the fabric as well as below the floors. The ground level is high all round; there is chronic dampness in the walls and timber. The floors are beginning to give way; wall panelling is rotting and there is severe efflorescence in the plaster. Clearly a major opportunity for archaeological investigation must soon arise. Nothing is known of the local archaeology. <4> The building is of uncertain age, the nave and chancel show 13th century features, the tower may be of similar date, but is much repaired. It is remarkably out of angle with the nave and the walls are unusually thin. A foundation, possibly parallel with the tower, was reported under the chancel floor, just east of the arch. Graded CIIb by Rodwell. <4> There is a 15th/16th century west tower. The bell is notable for an inscription partly in English. <5> <6> <7> A watching brief was carried out in Oct 1989 during stripping of some external rendering and internal plaster. This revealed Roman brick and tile. <8> <9> Additional references <10> <11> <12>