St Lawrence's Church, Lincoln Explained

St Lawrence's Church
Fullname:St Lawrence's Church, Lincoln
Coordinates:53.2307°N -0.5397°W
Location:Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Country:England
Denomination:Church of England
Tradition:Medieval Church
Bull Date:1000 AD
Consecrated Date:1000 AD
Status:Demolished, now under a nightclub and Hamilton House
Functional Status:Demolished
Style:Dark ages style
Years Built:1000 AD
Completed Date:1000 AD
Closed Date:1550 AD
Diocese:Lincoln

St Lawrence's Church, Lincoln was a medieval parish church in the city of Lincoln in Lincolnshire, England. It was built in 1000 AD and served as one of the many parish churches for the city and surrounding area until 1550 AD when it ceased being a church and was used for secular use until 1820. When it and the churchyard were demolished and redeveloped. The site is now under a building called "Hamilton House"[1] and a nightclub called "Popworld".[2]

History

The church was originally built in the 1000 AD period and had its own churchyard. The church was located directly north of St Peters under Arches Church, and is believed to have preceded the nearby St Martin's Church. It was granted to the Bishop of Lincoln by King William I between 1070 and 1087 along with numerous other churches in the city. The church became a prebendal church and was situated in a rich and affluent city area at the time. The church also likely saw a slight rebuilding like other churches in Lincoln at the time in the 13th Century. However, in 1297 a chantry chapel was founded by Alexander son of John son of Martin,[3] [4] which was dedicated to Sts Dunstan and Sebastian. The church continued to be used and was also home to the Guild of St Lawrence which may have also had its own adjoined chapel. However, despite the reformation era and the church continuing to be prosperous, the church was later liquidated by the city council in 1550–52 as a result of the council wanting to make money and profit as a result. The church was maintained for secular activities and also survived the English Civil War and was later renamed the city's "Pest House". during the outbreak of black death, which saw it later renamed as the Pest Church.[5] In 1718, the church's steeple survived as part of a stable while a cock pit occupied the consecrated grounds. In 1770, the church's foundations were rooted and were visible until 1820 when the site of the church and its churchyard were redeveloped during Lincoln's Industrial Revolution which was seeing a significant increase in its growing population as a result.[6]

Present day

The site is now occupied by a nightclub and Hamilton House.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hamilton House . Framework Architects, Lincoln . 3 July 2024.
  2. Web site: Popworld - Lincoln . popworldparty.co.uk . 3 July 2024.
  3. Web site: Regesta 48: 1296-1297 British History Online . 2024-07-03 . www.british-history.ac.uk.
  4. Book: Sympson, E. Mansel . Lincoln: A Historical and Topographical Account of the City ... . 1906 . Methuen and Company . en.
  5. Web site: Heritage Gateway - Results . www.heritagegateway.org.uk . 3 July 2024.
  6. Book: Sympson . E. Mansel . Lincoln: A Historical and Topographical Account of the City ... . 1906 . Methuen and Company . 3 July 2024 . en.