St Laurence's Church, Ramsgate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Laurence's Church, Ramsgate |
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St Laurence's Church, Ramsgate
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| Location | Ramsgate, Kent |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | [1] |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 1062 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 4 February 1988 |
| Style | Norman, Early English, and Victorian |
| Completed | 11th century, 12th and 13th century chancel and aisles, rebuilt in the 15th century with a tower |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Flint, Caen stone |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St. Laurence in the Isle of Thanet |
| Deanery | Thanet |
| Archdeaconry | Canterbury |
| Diocese | Canterbury |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Laurence's Church, also known as St Laurence-in-Thanet, is a very old Church of England church in Ramsgate, Thanet, Kent. It serves as a parish church for the local community.
History of St Laurence's Church
This church was first built in 1062, which makes it over 950 years old! It is the oldest church in Ramsgate. Because it is so old and important, it is a grade I listed building. This means it is a very special historic building that is protected by the government.
For a long time, until 1275, St Laurence's was an abbey church. This means it was part of a monastery. After that, it became a parish church, serving the people of the local area.
The church was made bigger in the 1100s and 1200s. New parts were added, like the chancel and side aisles. Imagine how much work that must have been!
In 1439, something dramatic happened: lightning struck the church! Because of the damage, the church had to be rebuilt. During this time, the tower was made taller, reaching its height that you see today.
As the town of Ramsgate grew over the years, it needed its own separate church. So, in 1826, St Laurence became a parish on its own.
Exploring the Churchyard
St Laurence's has a very large churchyard. It covers about three and a half acres, which is a lot of space! There are more than 1400 graves here. The oldest grave found dates all the way back to 1656.
Famous People Buried Here
Many interesting people are buried in the churchyard. Here are a few:
- D'Este Mausoleum: This is a special tomb for the D'Este family.
- John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore (1732–1809): He was a Scottish nobleman and a governor in America.
- Lady Augusta Murray (1761-1830): She was a member of the royal family through her marriage.
- Thomas Wilde, 1st Baron Truro (1782–1855): He was a very important lawyer and judge.
- Augusta Emma d'Este (1801–1866): She was a princess and a member of the British royal family.
- Admiral William Fox (around 1733-1810): He was a high-ranking officer in the navy.
- Sir William Garrow (1760–1840): He was a famous lawyer and judge who helped shape how trials work today.
- John Collis Browne (1819–1884): He was a doctor and inventor.
