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St Laurence's Church, Coventry

Coordinates: 52°26′24″N 1°28′53″W / 52.44001°N 1.48137°W / 52.44001; -1.48137
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St Laurence's Church, Coventry
St Laurence's
St Laurence's Church
A view of St Laurence's Church from the south
Map
52°26′24″N 1°28′53″W / 52.44001°N 1.48137°W / 52.44001; -1.48137
LocationOld Church Road, Foleshill, Coventry CV6 7ED
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
History
StatusActive
DedicationSt Laurence
Architecture
Functional statusParish church
Heritage designationGrade II* listed
Designated5 February 1955
Administration
DioceseCoventry
ArchdeaconryCoventry
ParishFoleshill
Clergy
RectorThe Revd Gareth Irvine
Laity
Churchwarden(s)Chris McKirdy
Ben Verdon

St Laurence's is the Church of England parish church of Foleshill, Coventry.[1] It is a Grade II* listed building with features, including the tower, from the 15th century.[2] It is located on Old Church Road (B4082) to the north-east of Coventry city centre.

History

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The first place of worship to occupy the site is thought to be a small chapel provided by Lady Godiva. Both she and her husband Leofric, Earl of Mercia paid for many religious buildings in the region.[3] After the Norman Conquest, the Anglo-Saxon chapel was replaced by one of sandstone in c.1150. The tower and north aisle were added in the 15th and 16th centuries respectively. The Norman ashlared sandstone chancel was replaced in 1782 with one of brick containing a Palladian window. This window was replaced with a stained glass rose in the 19th century, the south aisle and vestry also date from this period.[2] In the 20th century a choir vestry and south transept were added, and extensive repairs were carried out after incendiary bomb damage in the Second World War.[3]

A view of the church from the east
The east elevation of the church, showing the stained glass rose window in the chancel
Inscribed graffiti on the north wall
Graffiti inscribed into the soft stone of the north aisle exterior wall

Interior

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The church contains the original 12th century font, as well as a 16th century iron bound chest. Also of interest are the cast iron columns added in 1816 with the south aisle.[2]

Bells

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There are three bells in the tower, all by Hugh Watts of Leicester.[2] Two of the bells were cast in 1616, with a treble being added in 1635. They are currently in a state of dereliction, having had their wheels removed and stocks braced to the frame. The tenor can be rung half muffled by a rope attached to the clapper.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "St Laurence's Church, Foleshill". www.achurchnearyou.com. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Historic England. "CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, Coventry (1335825)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Our History". stlaurences.org. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  4. ^ "Foleshill". www.warksbells.co.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2021.