St Peter & St Paul, Church Lawford
Detail of the east window by Charles Eamer Kempe, 1887.
St Peter's at Church Lawford is medieval in origin, but what we see today is a mostly Victorian structure by Slater & Carpenter (built 1871-3) and quite a handsome building. The only medieval part is the north arcade inside and a plain blocked Norman south door, the exterior is otherwise wholly the result of the Victorian rebuilding. Externally there are some eye catching carved adornments and the fine west tower is a good local landmark, prominently sited to be visible from the nearby railway (the sight of it has welcomed me home on numerous occasions over the years).
Inside the church is rather spacious, if a little grey owing to the unpainted or grey-washed render that lines its walls. The remaining medieval part is apparent in the late 14th century north nave arcade with its banded piers of alternating coloured stonework. The Victorian south arcade happily follows a similar design in order to give harmony to the interior. Alas there is little else to see of the pre-Victorian church aside from the rather plain font and some intriguing 17th century carved woodwork in the chancel (dated 1618) and the pulpit of similar date (alas I didn't get photos of this or the architectural remnants under the tower as time was limited). There is much late Victorian or early 20th century glass in the chancel and north aisle, with an east window by Kempe and several fine windows by Heaton, Butler & Bayne.
I'd first got into this church many years ago by luckily stumbling across a keyholder. It is still kept locked now but on this occasion a group visit enabled me to revisit. Unfortunately the casual visitor is unlikely to get inside without prior arrangement, a pity as it does reward a visit.
St Peter & St Paul, Church Lawford
Detail of the east window by Charles Eamer Kempe, 1887.
St Peter's at Church Lawford is medieval in origin, but what we see today is a mostly Victorian structure by Slater & Carpenter (built 1871-3) and quite a handsome building. The only medieval part is the north arcade inside and a plain blocked Norman south door, the exterior is otherwise wholly the result of the Victorian rebuilding. Externally there are some eye catching carved adornments and the fine west tower is a good local landmark, prominently sited to be visible from the nearby railway (the sight of it has welcomed me home on numerous occasions over the years).
Inside the church is rather spacious, if a little grey owing to the unpainted or grey-washed render that lines its walls. The remaining medieval part is apparent in the late 14th century north nave arcade with its banded piers of alternating coloured stonework. The Victorian south arcade happily follows a similar design in order to give harmony to the interior. Alas there is little else to see of the pre-Victorian church aside from the rather plain font and some intriguing 17th century carved woodwork in the chancel (dated 1618) and the pulpit of similar date (alas I didn't get photos of this or the architectural remnants under the tower as time was limited). There is much late Victorian or early 20th century glass in the chancel and north aisle, with an east window by Kempe and several fine windows by Heaton, Butler & Bayne.
I'd first got into this church many years ago by luckily stumbling across a keyholder. It is still kept locked now but on this occasion a group visit enabled me to revisit. Unfortunately the casual visitor is unlikely to get inside without prior arrangement, a pity as it does reward a visit.