St Lawrence's Church, Thorpe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St. Lawrence's Church, Thorpe
St Lawrence's in 2015.
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Broad Church
Website	www.farndon-hawton.org.uk
History
Dedication	St. Lawrence
Administration
Parish	Thorpe, Nottinghamshire
Diocese	Southwell and Nottingham
Province	York

St. Lawrence's Church, Thorpe is a historic parish church located in the village of Thorpe, Nottinghamshire, England. It is part of the Church of England.

This church is considered a very important building. It has a special status called Grade II listed because of its unique architecture and long history. A famous person named Lucy Townsend, who worked to end slavery, lived near the church. She and her husband are buried here.

History of St. Lawrence's Church

St. Lawrence's Church is a small, charming village church. It is named after Saint Lawrence. The church stands on a small hill in Thorpe, a village that once had about 108 people.

Building the Church Through Time

The oldest part of the church is its strong tower. This tower was built way back in the 12th century, which means it is over 800 years old! The church has been cared for and updated over many centuries.

During the Victorian era (from 1837 to 1901), the church had a rector named Rev. William Wood. He did a lot of work to restore and improve the church building. He also built the rectory, which was the house where the church's priest lived. To get to the church, you would walk through the grounds of this rectory.

Notable People Connected to the Church

Many rectors, or priests, have served at St. Lawrence's Church over the years. One important person connected to the church was Lucy Townsend. She was the wife of the rector, Rev. Charles Townsend. Lucy Townsend was a very active campaigner against slavery. She moved to Thorpe in 1836.

Lucy Townsend passed away in Thorpe in 1847. She is buried in a special grave near the church entrance. Her tombstone says she "ceased to be mortal" in 1847. Her husband, Rev. Charles Townsend, also passed away later and is buried next to her.

St. Lawrence's Church Today

St. Lawrence's Church is part of a group of churches called the United Benefice of Farndon with Thorpe and Hawton with Cotham. This group includes:

• All Saints' Church, Hawton
• St. Lawrence's Church, Thorpe
• St. Peter's Church, Farndon
• St. Michael's Church, Cotham

As of 2025, services are held at St. Lawrence's Church every few months. Visitors can reach the church by following a footpath. This path goes through what used to be the drive of the old rectory.

See also

• Listed buildings in Thorpe, Nottinghamshire