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St Lawrence church, Lechlade
One of the great Gloucestershire Wool churches. The building was completed in 1476 but there was probably a church on the same site before. Small fragments of this earlier church remain, the font and 13th century piscina in the South aisle. The earliest mention of a church is in 1255 when it was one of the few churches endowed with the privilege of “sanctuary”. There is also mention of Lechlade in the doomsday book.
The building of the church began around 1470, the funding came from the dissolution of the nearby Priory, and from the inhabitants of the town, including wealthy wool merchants.
The Priory stood near the present Trout inn, and no doubt the footpath at the end of the churchyard is of very ancient origin, linking the two buildings.
The church is built in perpendicular style with nave, clerestory, north and south aisles, chancel with north and south Chapels. There is a western tower with an octagonal spire with lucarnes. The tower is of three stages with embattled parapet and pinnacles. There are several sculptured heads on the string course.
The nave has four-bay arcades plus a further bay into the chancel chapels. There is a large chancel arch and arches to the chapels, all with piers of 4 shafts. The tower arch leads to a ringing chamber with a vault above. There are six bells.
The Chancel has a fine roof with 15th century roof bosses. The east window dates from the early 16th century but the stained glass is 19th century. There is also a 15th century door leading from the chancel into the vestry. There is a reredos from 1902 with Art Nouveau Shields.
Today the church is entered via the West Porch, the original entrance was the North Porch, which has a fine ribbed vault with a Tudor Rose .
The church was restored in 1881 by Waller and Son who removed signs of earlier restoration in 1830 . The south chapel was refurnished in 1952.
The font is from the 15th century with octagonal bowl and an 18th century font cover. The pulpit is a reproduction of a 15th century style, although the base is genuine.
There is also a prominent brass chandelier from 1730, still used for major church festivals.
The organ is originally from 1838 on the south side of the chancel.
There are several stained glass windows.
The building of the church began around 1470, the funding came from the dissolution of the nearby Priory, and from the inhabitants of the town, including wealthy wool merchants.
The Priory stood near the present Trout inn, and no doubt the footpath at the end of the churchyard is of very ancient origin, linking the two buildings.
The church is built in perpendicular style with nave, clerestory, north and south aisles, chancel with north and south Chapels. There is a western tower with an octagonal spire with lucarnes. The tower is of three stages with embattled parapet and pinnacles. There are several sculptured heads on the string course.
The nave has four-bay arcades plus a further bay into the chancel chapels. There is a large chancel arch and arches to the chapels, all with piers of 4 shafts. The tower arch leads to a ringing chamber with a vault above. There are six bells.
The Chancel has a fine roof with 15th century roof bosses. The east window dates from the early 16th century but the stained glass is 19th century. There is also a 15th century door leading from the chancel into the vestry. There is a reredos from 1902 with Art Nouveau Shields.
Today the church is entered via the West Porch, the original entrance was the North Porch, which has a fine ribbed vault with a Tudor Rose .
The church was restored in 1881 by Waller and Son who removed signs of earlier restoration in 1830 . The south chapel was refurnished in 1952.
The font is from the 15th century with octagonal bowl and an 18th century font cover. The pulpit is a reproduction of a 15th century style, although the base is genuine.
There is also a prominent brass chandelier from 1730, still used for major church festivals.
The organ is originally from 1838 on the south side of the chancel.
There are several stained glass windows.
Created: Wed, 20 Mar 2024, Updated: Wed, 20 Mar 2024
15 images use this description: (all images taken in 2024)
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