Church of St Mary and St Lawrence (EHER 957)

Large Church of Norman origin. Principally built of flint and stone and stone dressings with some Roman tiles incorporated. There are 18th and 19th century brick buttresses to the tower and South aisle. The tower, nave and chancel are principally of Norman construction. The South aisle was added in the 14th century and remodelled in 1530. The nave was heightened, given a clerestory, and the roof replaced in the early 16th century. The South-West corner of the tower collapsed in 1798 and was repaired, later to be restored in the late 19th century. There are substantial alterations and additions of the 19th century, undertaken initially by F. Chancellor and subsequently by A. Nutt. These include the construction of the North aisle and vestry, rebuilding the chancel arch and south porch and some alterations to the tower.

Roman brick included in the fabric in Large Church of Norman origin <1> The Church dressings are partly Roman brick. The chancel has at the south-east angle, quoins partly of Roman brick. In the east wall is the semi-circular head of a late 11th or 12th century window, now blocked, of Roman bricks. Nave has, at north-west angle, quoins similar to chancel and there are Roman bricks at the south-east angle. <2> The walls are built from flint and pebble rubble with puddingstone and freestone in west tower. Dressings are partly limestone and partly Roman and later brick. Chancel, nave and west tower are dated to around 1100. South aisle was probably added in the 14th century, early in the 15th century the chancel-arch was probably rebuilt or widened and a rood-stair added, around 1520-1530 the south arcade was rebuilt and the nave clearstory raised. At this time or soon after the south porch was added . Features and fittings: windows and window details of late 11th-early 12th, early 12th, 14th, 14th or 15th, (probably) early 16th centuries, doorways of the 12th, late 14th-early 15th, early 16th centuries, early 16th century roof of nave, south aisle and (probably) south porch, mid 14th and early 15th century bells, a chair back panel of early 16th century (probably), a 15th century door, late 14th century stained glass, 14th century piscina, plate-a silver gilt paten of 1521, parts of a screen of the 15th century incorporated in a reading desk, mid 15th century seating and a late 15th century stoup. <2> In the 1st half or middle of the 17th century the nave clearstory was rebuilt possibly or repaired with brick and a clearstory added to the chancel. In 1684 the tower is said to have been heightened to enclose a bell-chamber. In 1798 the tower's stair turret is said to have fallen out. In 1863 the south porch was rebuilt and the whole church restored. In 1875 the north aisle and in 1890 the north vestry were added, the latter possibly on the site of an earlier one. Between 1891-1899 further restoration, including rebuilding of chancel-arch and partial rebuilding of the south porch. The chancel's south east angle quoins are partly of Roman brick (see 957) with 16th or 17th century bricks above. One bell is of 1581, another of 1663. The bell-frame in the west tower is probably 17th century. A book of 1683 in case by the pulpit. Brasses date to around 1580, 1589, late 16th century and 1611, 1617. Parts of a chair are 17th century, glass in lights at back of Everard monument is early 17th century. Monuments and floor-slabs of 17th and 18th centuries including the Everard monument (early 17th century). Plate includes two cups of 1632 and a cover-paten of same date. <2> Substantial west tower, originally Norman, nave, aisles and chancel. Norman features of Roman brick (see 957). Nave is remarkably wide for a Norman village church. Plain Norman tower-arch. Perpendicular south arcade. Good nave roof. <3> South wall and chancel quoins are of Roman brick. Much of dressing is of Roman brick. <4> Church of SS Mary and Laurence. A fairly large building of Norman origin. Grade B. RCHM I. (See list for details). <5> Field survey, 1976 The southeast angle quoin of the nave and east angles of the chancel are composed of Roman brick. There is also a slight scatter throughout the wall fabric of the chancel and nave. <6> <7> A single trench was cut below the established path from the lych gate to the tower. A grave was disturbed and bones removed. Beneath the threshold of the doorway was a brick built foundation of dense red bricks, typically late 18th/early 19th century date. Inside the tower a flint rubble foundation was visible. <8> Photographs <9> Additional reference <10>