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He was thereupon put to death by being roasted over a
gridiron. This tradition is signified at the church by markings on the
porch doorway, on either side of the flint flush
work where you will see the shape of a crown for the martyr and the
upright lines of the gridiron. Parts of the building originate from the 11th Century. However it was reconstructed in the 15th Century. It was then that the early square
tower was raised by the addition of the belfry stage and strengthened by
the two diagonal buttresses. Also at this time the tall windows were put
in and the south transept and south porch
were added. The church is mainly constructed
from flint in the perpendicular
style, with the tower at the West End. There is an ancient piscina in
the south transept. Further reconstruction took place
in 1580 when Rev. Bulwer was rector, which included the rebuilding of
the chancel and new
poppy head
benches were added. During 1935, Lord Rothmere refitted the
interior fittings and church furniture. In 1960, workmen
discovered an early Saxon
double splay window in the south wall of the nave. There were originally three bells in the tower but two of these were removed and sold in 1746. The remaining bell was cast by the Norwich Bell founder William Brend in 1605, but was damaged, and so could not be rung as part of the 1902 Coronation celebrations and so was sent to be recast in Loughborough and was then rung later during that year. Picture and write up by Len Bartram of Hunworth |
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One interesting entry from an early
church register: Do yer think of the days that are
gone, Jeannie |
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The
church is dedicated to St. Laurence who was martyred at Rome in AD 258.
Tradition has it that St. Laurence was ordered to hand over all the
churches valuables and so assembled all the sick and poor together and
presented them.