Architectural Features
As a broad principle the stone is medieval or 20th century and the brick is associated with a range of 18th and 19th century phases.
Nave roof slate, rest tiles and south porch stone with patterned tiles.
EXTERIOR: The exterior provides the clearest evidence of the medieval church and shows the accumulation over centuries of additional structures radically altering the original ground plan.
Set in a large and attractive churchyard with a number of interesting memorials and tomb chests.
Some of the memorials were removed in the late 20th century and reburial took place in the north-east corner of the churchyard.
The chancel and nave are both floored with Minton tiles.
PRINCIPAL FIXTURES: A circular 12th century font survives, now located to the east end of the south aisle.
By far the oldest artifact in the church of St. Laurence is this font. It is dated to Saxon times according to information on douments inside the church.
A 16th century iron bound chest (known as the Armada chest), with engraved lock.
This one may have survived the major re-ordering of 1888 (although if it did no doubt altered) but was replaced by the current one, dating to 1923 which is said to be given, designed (by Francis Tickner) and carved by local people.
Significant collection of 17th century bells all by Hugh Watts of Leicester fixed into an 18th century bell frame, which re-uses earlier elements as well.
There are a number of 18th and 19th century memorials of note in the church.
It is recorded that traces of old wall painting were found during the restoration work in 1942.
The lectern and the pews survive from the 1880s reordering.
The nave and chancel floors are covered in Minton tiles from 1888.
Glass includes (in memory of Henry Jacques) the north nave window 1896
There is glass by Hardman (also Birmingham based but with a prolific national practice) in the east window of the 1927 south transept showing St Elizabeth and St Luke.
Other additions of the early 20th century include the lectern and the west window of the south aisle , both gifts of the Sunday school.
Evidence of works to repair the church in the form of roof tiling occurred in 1614 and the ancient chancel was said to be in disrepair in 1635.
stated to be the same length as the medieval one
subsequent references to the loss of a three-decker pulpit most likely refers to fittings installed at this date in what appears to have been a recasting of the interior in a more auditory fashion.
to accommodate these the north aisle was heightened, re-using 16th century beams.
The insertion of the cast iron columns and the associated re-ordering included the retention of box pews and the three-decker pulpit indicative of a continuing Georgian approach to churchmanship.
Although this radical change has been considered by some an iconoclasm that destroyed the medieval interior of the building, its remnants provide some of the most significant and distinctive aspects of the interior today.
At the same time the box pews were replaced with the current benches, and there was associated retiling of the nave and aisle floors with Minton tiles.
DR 1055/11.
REASONS FOR DESIGNATION The Church of St Lawrence is designated at Grade II* for the following principal reasons: * Medieval origins and interest of early building surviving in parts * Re-use and incorporation of older materials during various consecutive rebuilding programmes demonstrating clear evidential and historical interest, reflecting both the 18th century rebuilding of the east end, and the early 19th century re-casting and expanding of church (especially the construction of the cast iron columns) * Range of historic fittings and fixtures, notably font, credence table chest and significant bells and bell frame * Considerable archaeological and historical interest in accretive alterations and additions to building associated with architectural and liturgical change.