Church of St Laurence

The Church of St Laurence is a Grade I listed Church of England building located in Reading's Market Place. Its structure dates from the Norman period to the 15th century, with significant restorations carried out in 1867. The church is constructed of flint, featuring Bath stone ashlar quoins and dressings, along with elements made from Taynton stone. A notable feature is the 15th-century three-stage tower, which serves as a prominent landmark at the north end of the Market Place. The tower has a crenellated parapet and octagonal chequered clasping buttresses with strings, although the spirelets have been removed. A sundial dated 1727 is located on the south side, and the main entrance is on the west side. The tower was built in 1458, and the church has tiled roofs with a central valley over the nave and north aisle.

The church has a nave with one plus four bays and two very wide chancel bays. The south wall of the nave features a small Norman window at the west end and a late 12th-century round-headed doorway with waterleaf capitals, while other openings have been restored in the Decorated style. The east end of the chancel has three lancet windows with blind lancets between them. The north aisle and chancel aisle were likely constructed around 1521, as indicated by the flat-topped two-light cusped windows and the three-light east window.

Inside, there are Norman fragments in the north aisle door and a king-post roof from the 15th century. The font dates to 1522, and there is a fine 18th-century pulpit. The chancel features impressive bench ends with tracery panels and poppyheads. A notable organ case, crafted in 1741 by Byfield, is present, along with a panelled pulpit from the same year, which is set on a mid-19th-century stand. The church contains several brasses and memorials, with the most significant being the memorial to John Blagrave, who died in 1611 and was the author of "The Mathematical Jewell." The church's historical significance is enhanced by its location at the Abbey gate, with the circa 1200 work possibly linked to the foundation of St John's Hospice.