Church Of St Lawrence

BESSELSLEIGH FARINGDON ROAD SP4501 (North side) 10/40 Church of St. Lawrence 19/02/66

GV II

Church. Early C12, with early C14 and C15 alterations. c.1632 for William Lenthall, Speaker of House of Commons, and 1788 for William John Lenthall. Uncoursed limestone rubble; gabled stone slate roof. Nave and chancel. Late C13 three-light trefoil-headed window. 4-bay south wall: three C15 cinquefoil-headed 2-light windows and 3 restored offset buttresses; narrow C13 pointed chamfered priest's door in second bay from right; gabled early C17 porch has wide cusp-chamfered arch, and C19 timber-framed side walls on brick and limestone plinths; early C12 plain round-headed doorway frames ancient plank door which has two C12 strap hinges and crescent at top. North wall has 3 restored offset buttresses: similar C15 two-light window and an early C14 two-light Decorated window flank rood-stairs projection with slit-light. West gable has late C13 three-light trefoil-headed window, and twin bellcote of 1632 (V.C.H.). Interior: cinquefoiled rere-arch to east window. Late C19 reredos. Late C13 trefoil-headed piscina: early C12 pillar piscina has decorated stem and scalloped capital: early C17 parish chest has panelled door, hinged lid and is set on wooden wheels. Chancel floor has marble floor tablet to John Lenthall (d.1681), and a set of early C17 floor tiles with quatrefoils. C15 brattished cornice to plastered chancel roof. Tympanum of 1632, with carved oak pendants, has painting of angels holding Lenthall arms over inscription which reads: "THIS CHURCH WAS RESTORED IN THE YEARE 1632/AND ALSO REPAIRED BY THE HONOURABLE WILLIAM LENTHALL ESQR:/MASTER OF THE ROLLS IN THE YEARE 1657". Nave has unusual mid C17 font, with small garlanded bowl "set on round stem with bands of rocky rustication" (Pevsner). Mid/late C19 roof has C17 moulded cornice with angels holding shields of arms at intervals. Fittings: late C18 communion rail, pulpit with tester, box pews, and steps to gallery with hat-pegs and splat balusters at west end. Memorials: C18 and C19 wall tablets. Chancel has small white marble inscription set in black marble draped surround to Winnifred Thompson, d.1708/9, and memorial to Susanna Brome, d.1717: heraldic achievement over draped and garlanded surround to inscription with palm sprays at base. (Buildings of England: Berkshire, p.86; V.C.H.: Berkshire, Vol.IV, pp.396-7; National Monuments Record).

Listing NGR: SP4563101073