There has been a church on this site for at least nine hundred and fifty years, but the oldest parts of the present structure date back to the 12th century.

The parish church is built on a site of great antiquity. Although there has been a church on this site for at least nine hundred and fifty years, the curved wall alignment which encloses the churchyard and Court Farm suggests that there has been a settlement here for much longer than that, possibly even for one thousand six hundred years. The first church building may well have been built in the early eleventh century on that part of the enclosure reserved for pagan and Saxon Christian burials.

The oldest parts of the present structure date back to the late 12th century. The round late Norman arch at the west end which still survives, supported the original squat Norman tower and the blocked up north doorway was the original entrance to the small Norman church.

The chancel dates from the early 14th century and was built by the Prior of Bruton, who owned the tithes of the parish from the twelfth to the sixteenth century. The tracery of the east window, the small north lancet window and the chancel piscina remain unaltered from that time.

A major rebuilding of the nave took place in the 15th century. The roof was raised and a south aisle, porch, small side chapel with piscina and pulpit were provided, the north door being blocked up. Either in the 15th or 16th century an extra stage was added to the tower and a new western entrance was driven through the tower wall.

By 1887 the church was in need of extensive structural restoration: the tower and the chancel arch were in danger of collapse and the interior did not meet the liturgical demands of late Victorian times. The tower was rebuilt, the chancel arch strengthened, the north wall rebuilt and a new vestry added. The church interior was also restored at this time. The church as you now see it, remains largely unaltered since then and it will always need care and attention if it is to continue to serve the village community as it has done since medieval times.

St. Lawrence was martyrd circa 258 during the reign of the emperor Valerian. He is said to have been roasted on a grid iron.  The most famous story about him is that, when he was ordered by the judge to produce the church’s treasures, he produced all the poor people in his care.

Some Interesting Dates: