Stretton Grandison's church of St Lawrence announces its presence from afar with its slender west tower and spire and is a handsome building all round, almost entirely the result of rebuilding in the 14th century though a church has stood here since at least Norman times. The body of the church is of the two-cell type, consisting of an aisleless nave and rather narrower chancel beyond.
Inside the nave is light and more of a sense of space than one might anticipate in a fairly compact building, the the chancel beyond is a darker and more intimate place, and shows more evidence of Victorian restoration in its furnishings. There are older features remaining in the nave, such as the hexagonal font (contemporary with the building, a faded wall-painting above the south door and a fine 15th century wooden pulpit. The windows display a mixture of glass from the mid to late Victorian period, much of it by Frederick Preedy who restored the church and added the fetching tile-work in the sanctuary..
Stretton Grandison church is happily normally kept open and welcoming to visitors and will always reward a short visit.
www.visitherefordshirechurches.co.uk/st-lawrence-stretton...
