St Lawrence's Church, Evesham

St Lawrence’s Church stands in the centre of Evesham, Worcestershire, beside the remains of Evesham Abbey. It is a Grade II* listed building, looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust. The church is built of stone with slate roofs and has a tower at the west end topped by a short spire. A chapel projects from the south side, and both aisles continue beside the chancel. The east end of the chancel forms a short sanctuary that projects beyond the aisles. The church was begun by Benedictine monks in the 12th century and first recorded in 1195. After damage in the 18th century, it was rebuilt in 1836–37 by Harvey Eginton for Edward Rudge. The architect added a north aisle matching the south aisle and renewed the roof. Inside, the stone reredos dates from 1838 and the Jacobean communion table was given in 1610. The pulpit of 1906 shows carved figures of the Four Evangelists, Bishop Egwin, and Saint Lawrence. Visitors find a four-bay nave with clerestory and aisles, and a two-bay chancel without a chancel arch. The south chapel has a stone fan vault and encaustic tiles, and its east window is by Hardman & Co. The east window of the chancel contains 1862 glass by Thomas Willement. The tower porch holds a Perpendicular doorway beneath a large four-light window. The organ, made in 1867 by Nicholson of Worcester, stands in the north aisle.