St Laurence's Church, Chorley

St Laurence's Church is an Anglican parish church in Chorley featuring a stone structure with a four-bay nave and a bell tower strengthened by diagonal buttresses. A battlemented parapet topped with gargoyles crowns the building, emphasizing its Gothic character.

The tower dates from the 15th century and has shaped the town's skyline ever since. Major renovation happened between 1859 and 1861, when galleries were removed and aisles were added to the interior.

The interior contains octagonal pier arcades and family pews from the 17th century that reflect the parish's long history. Stained glass windows by Hardman and Harry Stammers fill the space with colored light.

The building is open during worship services held at different times throughout the week. As a significant heritage building, it remains accessible to visitors between services who wish to explore its interior and architectural details.

The church is connected to a medieval reliquary mentioned in a 1442 letter that held bones of Saint Laurence. This link to early Christian veneration shows how deeply rooted the site's religious importance became over the centuries.

Location: Chorley

Architectural style: English Gothic architecture, Gothic Revival

Website: http://stlaurencechorley.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 53.65470,-2.63250

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:20