Church of St Laurence, Rowington, Warwickshire

The first view of this lovely church taken from the lane leading from the canal.

The building is a mixture of architecture probably dating from the early 12th Century. In fact, the first written record of a church at Rowington is contained in a deed of 1157. 

It is thought that the original Norman church was considerably re-built in the late 13th century, when the present nave and ante-chancel were added. Many more additions and changes have been made to the church over the centuries.

 Much 18th century work was removed during a major restoration in 1872, although a number of pre-restoration items of furniture remain.

New stained glass for the large west window of the church was commissioned at the beginning of the century to celebrate the new millenium. The subject of the window is 'Christ in Glory' and the artist, Graeme Willson, conceived and executed the design to reflect the spirit of the church and the local area, known as the Forest of Arden. The window was featured on the cover of the 2004 Coventry Diocesan Directory.

The tower holds six bells in a steel frame: the oldest bell dates from 1609 and the sixth bell was added in 1959. The bells are now regularly rung by the Rowington Band of Bellringers. The clock works date from about 1756. On the top of the tower is a weather vane consisting of a copper fan in the shape of a boars head, which may be from 1700

The last structural addition was the south porch built in 1906, an earlier porch of brick and timber having been demolished in the 1872 restoration.

I saw my first of the spring 'wild' primroses in the grass here

The old stained glass widow

Unfortunately we could not access the inside - I'm sure these colours are wonderful!

Beside the north door is a holy water stoop.

The cenotaph in the church yard

a nice picture - taken from the gate

Inquisitive sheep as we walk back to the boats - you can just see them in the top left of this photo.