Stratford sub Castle Village Website
Salisbury, Wiltshire UK
Church History
Historic England designated St Lawrence Church as a listed building in 1972, with Grade 1 status conferred in 2002 [1] thus acknowledging that both architecturally and historically, St Lawrence is undoubtedly an important structure that has been looked after continuously for over 800 years.
The church is now surrounded by fields and situated on the northern-most boundary of Stratford sub Castle, adjoining the Woodford Valley. However, archaeological investigations indicate that it was once in the midst of a thriving medieval settlement.[2] [3]
At least part of the Chancel was standing when the Cathedral on Old Sarum was still in use. Although patched and refaced, the north and south walls of the Chancel are of 13thC origin and probably represent the chapel of Stratford said to have been granted to Master Hervey by Bishop Richard Poore in 1228. The Prebend (ecclesiastical living) was styled that of 'St Laurence in Stratford' in 1291. [4]
The ground plan is typical of a 12th /13th century Early English [5] parish church with nave, small rectangular chancel and western tower. However, its faulty layout (the north and south walls are not parallel) is characteristic of there having been an even earlier building on the site. [4]
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The church has walls of flint, rubble and ashlar with tiled roofs. It is probable that much of the stone came from Old Sarum; at least two blocks, incorporated in later masonry, bear
Norman ornament, but the date of their incorporation is unknown. [4]
The present Nave walls date from the 15thC but may have replaced earlier ones as the arch between the Nave and the Chancel has been dated to the 14thC. The wagon ceiling was probably installed about 1550.
During the 18th century the most significant improvements to the church since the 14thC were carried out, including the rebuilding of the West tower on its original foundations. The 1711 date inscribed on the tower unfortunately misleads some visitors into thinking it indicates the age of the church itself. These improvements were funded by Thomas Pitt, grand-father of William Pitt the Elder - Earl of Chatham, past Prime Minister.
More recent works have included installation of electric lighting in 1947; a peal of six bells in 1999; and an oak staircase for better and safer access to the gallery and tower in 2002
Our photo gallery contains images and descriptions of the various architectural styles that have been incorporated into the structure of St Lawrence Church, together with images of some of the fittings.
Note: There has been no intention to list all the known facts and interpretations of the history of St Lawrence Church here, rather to provide the reader with an overview. The references and sources listed below may provide a route to further research. Clicking 'Church' in the main menu of this website will reveal more webpages about the church.
Sources/References:
[1] List Entry Summary Historic England
[2] Old Sarum Landscapes Project 2014-present https://www.southampton.ac.uk/archaeology/research/projects/old_sarum_and_stratford_sub_castle.page
[3] Why is St Lawrence Church where it is? Relevant article:
https://www.stratfordsubcastle.org.uk/why-is-the-church-sited-where-it-is
[4] British History On-Line http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol6/pp199-213#h3-0010
[5] Early English - a style of architecture used in England in the 12th and 13th centuries, characterised by lancet arches, narrow openings, and plate tracery Collins Dictionary
Articles written by David James and published in 2004 in The Friends of St Lawrence Newsletters Issues 1 & 2 are also acknowledged as having been of great help in producing this article and in describing many of the images in the photo gallery.
If you are visiting the church, do take a look at the beautiful history boards that hang above the wooden stairs leading up to the organ gallery at the western end of the nave. The boards date back to 1963 when the vicar's wife, Margaret Trowell, drew the illustrations and added information she had obtained from the primary source records that at that time were stored in the church. but are now stored at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre in Chippenham.
In 2022 the boards were restored, remounted and reframed by Noel James.
St Lawrence Church is included in the article
'Places of Worship around Old Sarum & Stratford sub Castle, an Historical List.'
by Kerry O'Connor January 2023