St Laurence

Exterior architectural features include a Sheila-na-gig on the north nave wall and a figure of St Laurence on the southeast tower buttress. Inside are carved heads flanking the chancel arch, a fine collection of stained glass and unusual Jacobean oak paneling; modern additions include seven stunning ‘I am’ banners and a sculpture representing St Laurence’s gridiron.

Built around 1100AD, the nave is the oldest part of the church although Domesday Book records an earlier building on this site. The south and north doorways are Norman and the trussed rafter roof dates from the 13th century. Outside, a sheila-na-gig is visible above the north doorway.

The Jacobean oak panelling beside the west door derives from an earlier pulpit. The stunning banners in the nave illustrate Jesus’ seven 'I am' statements. The 13th century crossing is the building’s finest architectural feature with transitional arches resting on pillars carrying beautifully carved heads.

Overhead, a sculpture by John Skelton commemorates three young brothers who lost their lives in a hotel fire in 1968; in the form of a gridiron, symbol of St Laurence, its twisted pieces of copper represent flames, those of St Laurence's martyrdom and the Holy Spirit at Pentecost as well as the tragic fire. The transepts are also 13th century. A braille plaque on the north transept wall celebrates the work of St Dunstan‘s which was based in Church Stretton during WWII. In the south transept a lancet window commemorates the Victorian authoress Hesba Stretton. The nearby pulpit was given in memory of the Rector at the time of the 1868 restoration. The transept aisles are Victorian additions.

The Leighton window in the south aisle commemorates Lord Leighton of Stretton, President of the Royal Academy and holder of the shortest lived peerage of all time: gazetted on 24 January 1896 but ceasing when he died without heir the following day. In the north aisle stand a Perpendicular font and a table bearing a display, changing month by month, as a stimulus for private prayer.

The 15th century chancel contains an east window with stained glass by Betton and Evans of Shrewsbury, two side windows with 15th century Flemish roundels and an unusual Jacobean carved reredos imported from domestic use in 1819. The fine organ was installed in 1882. In 2010 the previously exposed rubble walls were lime plastered and the floor tiled. Modern furniture, lighting and heating were introduced to create a bright, warm and welcoming interior.