History of St Laurence Parish Church
(God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.)
The Parish Church is dedicated to St Laurence, who was martyred on a grid iron, over 1800 years ago. As a reminder of this event the weather vane on top of the Spire takes the form of a Grid Iron. This was regilded in 1999, when the spire was being re-pointed, it was also found that the glass marble it revolved on was worn down to a small size and was replaced by a new one. The spire really has a lean. The story goes that an honest Knight walked by, and the Church bowed to him. In reality, during, or soon after its construction, the foundations began to sink in the Fenland soil. The result was that the tip of the spire -added later and built at a different angle, is 6' 4½" out of perpendicular.
Architecture
The exterior is mainly built in the Perpendicular style (1350 -1480). The tower is probably of the earlier Decorated Style (1270- 1350), as is the lovely ball frieze beneath the embattled parapet running around the North and South aisles. These two periods form most of the style inside, but the Church is older, for several of the pier bases are Early English (1200- 1270), and below them are Norman bases (1066- 1130) The chancel arch is also probably Early English.
The South Porch
Notice the 13th century 'Dog tooth' moulding around its entrance.
Porches were important places in the Medieval Church - here the first part of the Baptism service took place,
here too, the old betrothal ceremony before marriage and here the Priest met the bier at the burial service
The Font
This is 15th century, octagonal, perpendicular with a carving of tracery and flowers, and a decorated,
deeply buttressed stem. Note the unusual concave moulding at the base.
The Tower
The Tower is entered by descending five steps and to quote Arthur Mee (The King's England) "like a ship lurching at sea”, A cross on the floor near the West door marks the point directly below the tip of the spire. On the wall are two boards bearing the Ten Commandments. These together with the Creed and the Lord's Prayer used to be on the old Chancel screen. It is interesting to note that until the beginning of the 2Oth century the Ringers used to perform from a level 10 feet above the ground floor, the intervening space being filled with rubble. New stone insertions show where the floor beams used to fit into the wall.
The Bells
Until the late 1970's this was the lightest peal of twelve bells in the world, hung for change ringing. Owing to the lean of the tower, two of the bells are technically hung outside the foundations of the church. In 1900 there were only 5 bells (recast in 1809), but in that year an ancient bell was recast. In 1913 the ring was augmented to 10. Two trebles were added in 1933 "by members and friends of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers in affectionate remembrance of the Revd Henry Law James, sometime Master and in appreciation of his work/or the Guild and for the Art of Bell Ringing" In 1983 the twelve bells were re-hung on enclosed bearings at an approximate cost of £6,000 .
The Clock
With its unique chimes, composed by the Revd Henry Law James, the clock was restored and electrified as gift,
by Mr Rupert Richardson shortly before his death on 13th January, 1947.
He had been Master of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers since 1933.
The belfry clock was given in memory of Mrs Annie Richardson for 50 years service to the belfry.
The Nave
The interior as it is today is due largely to the zeal of the Revd Law James, (Vicar 1898-1932),
who completely restored the Church between 1900 & 1908. All the furniture was installed at the beginning of the 20th century.
The Victorian, box pews and the cumbersome three decker pulpit were amongst other things which were swept away in the restoration of the church.
The pulpit is the top of the old three decker pulpit, of simple design, in 17th century panelled oak.
The two western pillars were buttressed with masonry in the 15th century to offset the lean of the tower
and to relieve the pressure on it.
The original nave roof was much steeper than the present one, as can be seen,
from the outside, by the weathered stone of the tower. On one of the oak beams supporting the roof is carved "T. N. Roe 1830"
The nave Altar was introduced in 1973 and the Altar rails are a memorial to Eliza Ann Allen and Mary Elizabeth Allen,
benefactors of the Church (1977).
The North Aisle
Above the north door are the Royal Arms, ordered to be set up in all churches after the Restoration.
They used to hang above the chancel arch where the discoloration of the stone can still be seen. They are the arms of Queen Anne.
The "GR 1V" was probably added later as an economy measure when royalty were in the area.
The outside of the North door is said to be pitted with the musket shot of Cromwell's troops)
who used the Church to stable their horses. The North Aisle was shortened by the removal of its Eastern bay in the 15th century -
again possibly to relieve pressure on the tower. The window was then set in its blocked arch. (The one behind the choir stalls).
The Cross and Candlesticks normally on this altar were given in memory of Flt/Sgt A J B Wayman,
who was killed on active service on 19th April 1944. Owing to the climate of the day, these and other brassware are stowed away when not in use.
The light above the Aumbry signifies that the Sacrament is perpetually reserved for Holy Communion for the sick.
The Aumbry cover is a memorial to Mrs Joan Rhodes, 1923 -1989.
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The Choir
The choir is structurally part of the nave, and is unusual in being in front of the 'screen. The choir stalls are of fine modern oak.
On the south side of the choir is a two manual pipe organ, built by Hewitt's of Leicester and installed in 1908 .
The organ was completely rebuilt by Henry Groves of Nottingham in 1983.
On the north wall, in fact, all around the Church are many plaques worthy of note including one in memory of four Surfleet men,
Ernest Taylor King, John Ernest Harrison, John Humphrey Mothers and Frank Taylor who fought and fell in the World War 1939 -1945
Chancel Arch and Rood Screen
The Chancel arch is of Early English architecture with a spiral staircase on its south side, leading to the gallery. Over this doorway is a brass memorial. ‘Dedicated to the glory of God and in memory of Joseph Henry Flowers, a chorister born February 2nd 1897, at rest July 28th 1910' At the top of the staircase is a pretty quatre-foil window (which can be seen from the outside). The present Rood Screen and Gallery is of oak and modern, but it contains remnants of an earlier screen discovered during the restoration at the beginning of the 20th century. Above the screen stands the Rood or Cross. In medieval times it would have been flanked by the figures of Our Lady and St. John, thus portraying the Crucifixion.
Chancel and Sanctuary
On entering the Chancel it is possible to see for the first time, in all its glory, the new Millennium Window,
dedicated on 16th" July, 2000. The people of Surfleet, the District and Parish Councils all helped to raise the money.
Over £3000 was given on one day. The Window, to mark the beginning of the third millennium is of modem design by artist Glenn Carter.
It is symbolic in that the palm is the emblem of Saints and Martyrs. The grid iron and tongues of flame depicts the Martyrdom of St. Laurence.
The flames also represent Pentecost and new life in the third millennium.
The East Window is of Perpendicular style, the North and South Windows have been remodelled, probably in the 16th century,
to a square domestic looking type. The South window contains a medley of old stained glass. It was dug up from the churchyard,
a legacy of the wanton destruction of churches during the days of the Commonwealth
The Chancel is small in comparison with other ancient churches. The position of the Priest's door and tomb show that this area
must have been larger.
As with the North aisle, the Chancel was reduced in size in the 15th century. A contract for this work is dated 1418.
A letter of 1420 from the London mason reminds the church officers that the account had not been settled.
The roof is of fine hammer beam style, cut down from the bigger roof, (perhaps that of the nave)
Outside it was completely reslated in Collyweston slating in 1963, and should last for another 200 -300 years.
In the north corner of the Sanctuary the limestone cross-legged effigy of a knight in chain and plate armour,
his shield on his arm and his foot on a lion, was reputed to be Sir Roger de Cressy of Cressy Hall.
It is now thought to be Sir Hugh de Cressy, 1313 -1347, who after returning victorious from the Battle of Cressy in 1346
was responsible for rebuilding much of the church, including the addition of the spire, as thanks for his safe return.
He left instructions in his will that he be buried at the side of the High Altar in the Church of St Laurence, Surfleet.
On the South wall there are two memorials to former Vicars 'George Herbert Clark, Vicar of Surfleet 1932-1947'
and Christopher Leeke, Vicar of Surfleet 1947-1963.
The High - Altar is the focal point of the Church.
It is raised upon three steps – the sub deacons, the deacons and the celebrants.
Note the absence of Judas Iscariot in the depiction of the Last Supper.
The riddle (curtain posts) are surmounted by angels, each holding a candle.
On the North wall there is a plaque which tells us that ‘the Reredos in this sanctuary is a gift of an anonymous donor,
and the cresting and two angels the offering of parishioners and friends. The whole forming a memorial to the Revd Henry Law James,
34 years vicar of this parish. At rest 3 February 1932’.
The memorials included on the Chancel floor include one to Dame Anne Fraiser who endowed the Surfleet Charity School
(now the Fraiser Room, next to the Church) and paid the salary of the master.
There are several other memorial slabs which have had their brasses removed by Cromwell’s troops.
In the Sanctuary is the Bishop’s chair which was carved by Belgian refugees in 1916.
The Sanctuary lamp was given in memory of Wallace Redfern Scott, a Lay Reader and Chorister of this Church.
The South Aisle
The 18th century Parish Chest, or Churchwardens Chest, is a reminder of the days when the church wardens were responsible for Parish affairs. The chest would be used for storing parish papers and accounts. The accounts, now stored in the Archives at Lincoln, span the time between 1669 and 1715 and after a gap of 40 years continue until the present day. From these we learn that the 'Church Yard Dog Whipper' was once paid a guinea a year and that sparrows were purchased at 4d an old bird, and 2d each for the young. Note the provision of three padlocks. The chest could only be opened when the Vicar and two Churchwardens were present. The chest bears the names of the two Churchwardens of the day, W Obrey and R Eakland, and the date 1719.
Above the South door is a hatchment with the arms of the Buckworth family. (Hatchments were boards bearing the family coat of arms and carried before the funeral procession, and then hung up in the church)
A Prayer for the Parish
Almighty and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth. Mercifully hear the supplications of us, thy servants, and grant unto this parish all things that are needful for its spiritual welfare. Strengthen and confirm the faithful, protect and guide the children, visit and relieve the sick, turn and soften the wicked, rouse the careless, recover the fallen, restore the penitent, remove all hindrances to the advancement of thy truth and bring all to be of one heart and mind within the fold of Thy Holy Church, to the honour and glory of the blessed Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
