Wall and gate piers of the Church of St Laurence’s graveyard

Churchyard wall and gate, built in the C16, largely rebuilt in 1791 with repairs of the C19 and C20. The wall was restored in around 2015.

MATERIALS: red brick with Taynton Stone, Hornton Stone, flint, and wrought iron elements. The gate piers are of red brick with ashlar limestone ornament.

DESCRIPTION: the wall encloses the Church of St Laurence’s graveyard on its east, south, and south-east sides, beginning at the church to the south-west and culminating at Minerva House to the north-east. The south section of the churchyard wall is of two halves; the lower half contains large sections of Taynton and Hornton Stone combined with smaller knapped flints, while the upper half is red brick laid in English bond and topped with rounded brick coping. The south-east section of the wall is entirely red brick, laid inconsistently in Flemish Bond. The east section is also red brick; however, the lower half looks to be older and is laid in English Cross bond. Towards the northern side of the eastern wall section is an opening into the graveyard, flanked on either side by large brick gate piers with limestone plinths, block capping and topped with ball finials. Part of the stone capping is engraved ‘REBUILT AD 1791’. Over the entrance is a wrought iron overthrow with lamp.