West Tower Of The Old Church Of St Lawrence

The West Tower of the Old Church of St Lawrence is a church tower located on Lawrence Street in York. It dates from the late 12th century, with alterations made in the 13th century, and the addition of the top storey in the 15th century. When the nave and chancel were demolished between 1881 and 1883, the former north doorway of the nave from the 12th century was re-erected against the east wall. The tower is constructed of roughly squared limestone rubble, with the upper stage made of larger and more regular blocks. The windows in the bell stage have been infilled with brick, and the roof is concealed by a parapet.

The tower has a square plan. The doorway features a semicircular arch composed of four orders: the inner order has plain voussoirs that spring from moulded imposts over scalloped capitals; the second order displays interlace above two monsters carved from the capitals; and the two outer orders are adorned with formalized foliage. Behind the doorway, there is a semicircular rear arch that likely represents the original tower arch from the late 12th century.

On the south side, the middle stage has two narrow blocked chamfered openings, with the upper one having a pointed head. The west side's lowest stage contains a blocked Tudor-arched window, while the middle stage has a blocked pointed window. The north side features a blocked pointed window in the middle stage. Moulded string courses are present above and below the bell stage. Gargoyles are located at the south-west and south-east corners, and the parapet is a 20th-century rebuilding with plain corner pinnacles. The bell openings consist of two trefoiled lights under straight heads with hood moulds. The interior has not been inspected.