Corbets Tey Road, Upminster, RM14 2BB
St Laurence Church, Upminster
Church
Place photograph
6.2
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.2A church at Upminster’s crossroads with a tower whose history reaches back to the medieval rebuilding of the parish church. Inside, look for ancient bell-chamber timbers, a font once kept at Upminster House and an old coffin lid found during later building work.
This is a worthwhile historic stop for its remarkably tangible church story: medieval tower fabric, bell-rope grooves in the timbers and objects with links to Upminster’s vanished house. Its appeal is focused rather than sprawling, so come for a considered church visit, not a full-day destination on its own.
Atmospheric · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapCorbets Tey Road, Upminster, RM14 2BB
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The experience
A short, self-guided heritage visit centred on the tower, medieval fittings and objects preserved inside the church. Respect that this is an active place of worship.
Things to do
Look for the bell-rope grooves
The parish’s church tour points out grooves worn into the ancient timbers supporting the bell chamber by bell ropes.
5–10 minutes
Find the late-15th-century font
The font was originally in the chapel of Upminster House and was given to the church in 1777 after the house was demolished.
5 minutes
See the coffin lid beneath the Pietà
The parish history identifies an ancient coffin lid discovered when foundations were being dug for the Lady Chapel.
5 minutes
Trace the church’s changing plan
The parish account describes major enlargement in the early 14th century, rebuilding in 1861–62 and substantial additions in 1928–29. Layers of London notes that the 14th-century arcade was retained.
10–15 minutes
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 30–45 minutes
A short church-history visit
- 01
Check current visitor access with the parish before setting out.
- 02
Walk around the church exterior and note its position at the crossroads.
- 03
If the church is open, look for the tower, the font and the coffin lid described in the church’s visitor history.
- 04
Keep the visit quiet and follow any signs or instructions for worshippers.
Half day · About 1 hour
Take time with the tower and its details
- 01
Confirm the church is open to visitors and check for service or event arrangements.
- 02
Use the parish’s church tour to find the tower, bell-chamber timbers, font and coffin lid.
- 03
Notice how the building’s present form reflects several periods of rebuilding and extension.
- 04
Finish with a quiet look at the church’s central worship space, respecting its use as an active church.
Verified history
The parish history says the church was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century, enlarged in the early 14th century and substantially rebuilt in 1861–62. Further additions followed in 1928–29 to designs by Sir Charles Nicholson; the church was refurbished in 1992 and reordered in 2003. The parish identifies the lower part of the present tower as dating from about 1200. Its account also records the late-15th-century font, given to the church in 1777 after Upminster House was demolished, and a coffin lid discovered during work on the Lady Chapel. The church’s origins as one of St Cedd’s mission minsters are presented as a possibility, not a settled fact.
Folklore & legend
Local historical writing says the church’s dedication to St Laurence is associated with the saint’s legendary martyrdom on a gridiron, and links that image with the church’s gridiron symbol and nearby Gridiron Close. This is a tradition about the saint, not an event in Upminster’s own history.
Hidden details
Grooves in the bell-chamber timbers — The parish says bell ropes wore grooves into the ancient timbers supporting the bell chamber: a small, physical trace of the tower’s working life.
The font’s former home — The font came from the chapel at Upminster House and was donated in 1777 after the house was demolished.
The boundary between old and new — Layers of London notes that the boundary between the nave and former chancel can still be seen inside, alongside a retained 14th-century arcade.
The coffin lid by the Lady Chapel — The parish account says an ancient coffin lid was found while the Lady Chapel foundations were being dug; it is described as being beneath the Pietà.
When to go
· Visit during confirmed opening hours and avoid services unless attending.
The supplied sources give no seasonal reason to prefer one time of year.
No weather-specific visitor information verified.
What to look for
- 01
The tower’s old bell-chamber timbers and rope grooves
- 02
the late-15th-century font, originally associated with Upminster House
- 03
the coffin lid found during construction of the Lady Chapel
- 04
and the retained 14th-century arcade.
The story
Medieval church fabric; local religious history; Upminster’s possible early minster origins
Best time to go
Year-round; check opening arrangements before visiting.
The supplied listing reports daily hours of 9am–5pm, but these should be checked with the parish before setting out. Avoid visiting during services unless attending.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 9am-5pm
- Tuesday: 9am-5pm
- Wednesday: 9am-5pm
- Thursday: 9am-5pm
- Friday: 9am-5pm
- Saturday: 9am-5pm
- Sunday: 9am-5pm
Check before visiting.
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Practical information
Opening & access
The supplied listing reports daily opening from 9am to 5pm, and the church’s Facebook description says it is open to all. Check with the parish before travelling, as access can change for services or events.
Check before visiting
Parking
Parking availability and arrangements are not confirmed in the supplied sources. Check with the parish before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
The supplied source row reports a toilet and wheelchair-accessible toilet; confirm availability before visiting.
Food & drink
No on-site café or food information verified. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Not verified. Check with the church before bringing a dog.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The supplied source row reports a wheelchair-accessible entrance, car park and toilet. Confirm current arrangements with the church.
Cost
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Check before visiting
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around St Laurence Church, Upminster
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
