Evesham - Church of St Lawrence [Explored]

East window.

 

The first church built on this site was consecrated by the Bishop of St Asaph in 1295.

No feature of this building remains except possibly the crucifixion panel on the north external wall of the porch.

It was replaced by the existing perpendicular building in 1470 and formed part of the conventual buildings of Evesham Abbey which was then the fifth richest in England.

The church was erected for the use of the multitude of pilgrims who piously came to worship at the Abbey shrines throughout many years of storm and calm alike.

Many diseases being prevalent in these times made it necessary to isolate them from the townsfolk, who exclusively used the adjoining parish Church of All Saints. The bodily needs of the pilgrims were catered for at the Abbey Almonry nearby which is still standing. The church had become sadly dilapidated and in 1730 an extensive and, as it proved, disastrous reconstruction took place because owing to faulty construction and poor materials, the new roof collapsed before 1800.

The church remained in ruins until 1837 when it was restored and reopened for divine worship. In 1957 a further minor restoration took place.

In 1978 the church was declared redundant and came under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust the following year.

 

 

 

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