Church of St Laurence, Stanwick facts for kids

The Church of St Laurence, Stanwick

The Church of St Laurence is a very old and important church. It's located in the village of Stanwick in North Northamptonshire. This church is so special that it's a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in England.

The church used to be part of the Church of England's Diocese of Lincoln. But in 1541, it moved to the Diocese of Peterborough. This happened during the time of King Henry VIII, when many monasteries were being closed down.

Discover the History of St Laurence Church

Many old records used to spell the church's name incorrectly as "St Lawrence." For example, some old books like "The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire" had it wrong. Even the official list from Historic England had to be corrected in 2014. Now, the correct spelling is "St Laurence."

What Makes Up the Church Building?

The Church of St Laurence has several main parts. It has an eight-sided Tower at the west end, topped with a tall, pointed Spire. Inside, you'll find the main area called the Nave. There's also the Chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is.

On the south side, there's a south Aisle and a south Porch. Above the porch, there's a small room called a Parvise. The tower looks square from the inside, even though it's mostly octagonal. This is because the stairs fill in some of the corners.

How the Church Was Built Over Time

The oldest parts of the church, the Nave and Chancel, were built around the year 1200. You can see this from special stone patterns on the walls. Around 1230, the Tower, south Aisle, and porch were added. The tall Spire wasn't finished until the early 1300s.

Later, in the 15th or 16th century, the Chancel was rebuilt. Some new windows were also put in. The church has been repaired many times over the centuries. For example, the Chancel was rebuilt again in 1823. The Chancel you see today is a bit narrower than the very first one.

The Porch is one of the original parts, with its old-style door. The church doesn't have a clerestory, which is a row of windows high up in the nave. The decorative tops of the walls, called battlements, were added in the Perpendicular style, which was popular in the late Middle Ages.

Special Features and Gifts to the Church

Richard Cumberland, a famous writer, wrote about the church in his memoirs. He said the Spire of Stanwick Church is one of the most beautiful in the country. His father, Denison Cumberland, added a handsome clock to the church. He also decorated the Chancel with railings and a screen. He made sure the church was always neat and well-maintained.

The pulpit, where the priest gives sermons, was given to the church in 1778. It was a gift from John Dolben, who was once the Rector of Stanwick and later a Bishop.

The weathercock, which shows wind direction, is very high up, about 157 feet above the ground. It was given to the church in 1882 by George Henson, who owned the local pub, the Duke of Wellington inn.

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  The Church of St Laurence, Stanwick