St Lawrences Church

History & Origins

  • A Christian place of worship has existed on this site since 709 AD, when King Cenred of Mercia granted land to Evesham Abbey to support a wooden Saxon church and its missionary work.

  • Rebuilt in 1110 AD, a Norman stone church was established here, later replaced between 1784–1890, retaining only the 14th-century chancel.

  • The chancel, rebuilt in 1328 by Walter de Burhton, is the only medieval portion remaining, now featuring a priest’s door, sedilia, piscina, and heraldic-painted ceiling.

Original Purpose & Community Use Today

  • Originally served as the parish church for Bourton‑on‑the‑Water and Clapton‑on‑the‑Hill, with a medieval chantry chapel added in the 14th century to serve residents and worshipers from surrounding areas.

  • Today, it continues as an active Church of England parish, forming part of the Benefice of Bourton‑on‑the‑Water with Clapton and The Rissingtons. Since a re‑ordering in 2017, the interior accommodates a mix of traditional BCP worship and modern family‑friendly services, community events, exhibitions, and livestreamed services every Sunday

Architectural Highlights & Layout

  • Exterior: Crafted in local Cotswold limestone and stone-slate roofing, the structure includes a 14th‑century chancel, 18th‑century west tower with domed clock and Ionic elements, and Victorian nave with north aisle and chapel.

  • Interior: Features a five‑bay nave under a fine king‑post roof, pointed-arch arcades, medieval octagonal font, inglenook-style chancel, carved oak screen (1927), and painted ceiling with heraldic shields of past patrons like Evesham Abbey and Wadham College.

  • Officially designated Grade II* by Historic England on 25 August 1960, acknowledged for its layered architectural evolution from medieval to Gothic Revival

Local Stories & Trivia

  • The chancel crypt, dating from the 12th century, is sealed but local lore claims it connects via tunnel to the nearby Old Manor House under the High Street.

  • Above the south porch is a striking skull and crossbones carving – a reminder of life’s fragility, known as a ‘memento mori’, which was a popular feature in several historic Cotswold churches.

  • The church's bell tower houses eight bells, the oldest from 1650 (recast in 1957), and daily Westminster chimes installed in 1911.

  • The decorative chancel ceiling, painted in 1928, displays shields of patrons including Elizabeth I and Wadham College of Oxford, emphasizing the church’s lasting institutional ties.

For more information about St Lawrence’s Church, you can visit the Bourton Parish Council website here