St Lawrence Church

St Lawrence Church is a 15th-century Grade II* listed building on Dial Lane in the centre of Ipswich, Suffolk. It no longer serves as a working parish church. Since 2008 it has operated as a community café and gallery, a good example of how medieval architecture can find a new daily purpose in a modern town.

What does the church look like?

The west tower is the most recognisable feature. Work on it began around 1431, funded by John Bottold. In 1882 the upper stage was rebuilt in a richly decorated Victorian manner by the London firm Barnes and Gaye, with the design associated with Frederick Barnes. The result stands out among nearby buildings and makes a handy landmark when exploring the old town.

The nave has Perpendicular Gothic windows set between buttresses. They date from after 1449 and were paid for by John Baldwyn, who died that year. They are a typical example of late medieval English church building.

What is the history of St Lawrence?

The Victorian works of 1882 also changed the interior. According to Wikipedia, the central aisle of the nave was removed, reportedly to discourage High Anglican worship. Over time the parish emptied out. By the early 1970s almost nobody lived within its boundaries, so the church was declared redundant and the Ipswich Historic Churches Trust took responsibility for the building. It then spent years in poor condition.

Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council worked out a new future for it. The restoration cost 1.2 million pounds, covered by the borough council and UK government grants. In July 2008 the church reopened as a community café and gallery.

Bells and archaeology

The tower holds a ring of five bells, regarded as among the oldest of their kind in the world. They returned to the tower in 2009 after a quarter of a century away. It is suggested that Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, born in Ipswich around 1471, heard them as a young man.

During the 2008 works the floor monuments in the nave and chancel were recorded. Most turned out to have been moved from their original positions during major reordering in the mid to late 19th century.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go inside? Yes. The building works as a community space with a café and gallery. Check opening hours with local sources before visiting.

Where is it? On Dial Lane, in central Ipswich, close to the main shopping streets and the old town.

Is it still a parish church? No. The parish was declared redundant in the early 1970s, and the Ipswich Historic Churches Trust looks after the building.

Who is it for? Anyone interested in Gothic architecture, local history or bells, and anyone wanting a quiet coffee in a historic interior while visiting Ipswich.

How long should I allow? About an hour is usually enough, including a look at the tower from outside and a coffee inside.