Church Of The Holy Cross And St Lawrence Ruins To East Of Church Of Holy Cross And St Lawrence

The ruins to the east of the Church of the Holy Cross and St Lawrence are remnants of a medieval church that has been significantly reduced in size, with various later additions and alterations. The naves and aisles date from around 1100 to 1151, while the two western bays of the nave and the west front were added around 1300. The Lady Chapel and its undercroft were constructed in the first quarter of the 14th century, and the west tower was built between 1556 and 1562.

The main body of the church underwent restoration from 1859 to 1860 by William Burges, which included a new nave roof, a reredos, and an east window featuring glass designed by Edward Burne-Jones. The Lady Chapel was restored in 1876 by Burges and J A Reeve, with a screen added in 1886. Notable interior features include a 14th-century wall painting of the Last Judgement in the Lady Chapel, as well as brasses from 1559 and 1591. There is a carved table tomb from 1697, a monument with effigies from 1599, a carved marble wall monument with effigies and reliefs from 1761, a carved wall monument by J Kendrick from 1805, and a wall monument with bas relief from 1824.

Surviving elements from the Norman choir, dating from the first half of the 12th century, include the bases of two columns and a curved wall beyond the current east end. The Church of the Holy Cross and St Lawrence is part of a group that includes the Abbey Gateway, Midnight Chapel, Harolds Bridge, the walls of the Abbey and Chapter House, the Garden Wall, and the Vicarage.