St Lawrence offers a daily haven of peace and prayer in the busy city centre, tucked away between the Buttercross and The Square. We gather for worship every Sunday at 10am, and there is a said service of BCP Holy Communion on the 1st Wednesday of the month (10.30am).

History

The only surviving parish church of Norman foundation within Winchester’s city walls, St Lawrence is referred to as the Mother Church of Winchester. When a new Bishop of Winchester is about to be welcomed in the Cathedral at the start of their public ministry in the Diocese, the first stop is at St Lawrence Church, to be presented to the Mayor, clergy and citizens. We were honoured to host this ceremony on 13th January 2024, for the Rt. Revd. Philip Mounstephen.

There was a church on the site before the Norman conquest, and it was incorporated into William the Conqueror’s palace as the royal chapel. Both were destroyed by fire in 1141, during the civil war of Stephen and Matilda, and St Lawrence Church was rebuilt in about 1150.  The church has an unusual square design, and also a fine 17th-century ‘king-post’ roof. 

The church was badly damaged by fire in 1978 and after restoration it was re-opened in 1980, with seating for about 100 people.  

In 2012 a project to enhance the porch saw the installation of a beautiful glass screen engraved by Master Glass Engraver Tracey Sheppard of Winchester.