Nestled in the historic town of Bradford-on-Avon lies a true ‘hidden jewel’ of England’s West Country. This remarkable structure, the Church of St Laurence, stands as a rare and well-preserved example of Anglo-Saxon architecture, a style largely forgotten by the average modern citizen. Dedicated to St Laurence, one of the seven deacons of Rome who was martyred during Emperor Valerian’s persecution of Christians in 258 AD, this church remains a significant treasure for enthusiasts of early English history. Unlike many of its contemporaries, St Laurence has survived in remarkable condition, making it one of England’s most complete Anglo-Saxon buildings.
Bradford-on-Avon, also known as Bradford-upon-Avon, is situated eight miles southeast of Bath in Wiltshire. The town’s name originates from the ‘Broad-Ford’ across the River Avon, around which its center developed. The earliest recorded mention of Bradford appears in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle under the year 652 AD, when Cenwalh, the King of Wessex, fought a battle at “Bradanforda be Afne.” However, the chronicle provides no details about his opponents or the battle’s outcome. Historians speculate that Cenwalh may have fought either the native Celtic Britons or the Angles of Mercia. Before England’s unification, Bradford sat on the border between the rival kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia, a region frequently caught in the conflicts of the era.
The scarcity of surviving Anglo-Saxon buildings is largely due to their original construction materials—timber and thatched roofing—which were vulnerable to decay, warfare, and Viking invasions. Many towns and cities were burned to the ground, and even when rebuilt, wooden structures rarely endured the test of time. Ecclesiastical buildings, however, were often made of stone and brick, sometimes incorporating repurposed Roman materials. Today, at least fifty churches in England contain significant Anglo-Saxon architectural elements, though in many cases, these features are either small or heavily modified.
The Church of St Laurence stands out as an extraordinary example of Anglo-Saxon ecclesiastical architecture prior to the Norman Conquest. Its defining characteristics—tall, narrow proportions and small windows—are unmistakably Anglo-Saxon. The church consists of a nave, chancel, and a porticus (porch-wing) on the northern side, with evidence suggesting a similar southern porticus that once featured an underground chamber, later replaced before the 19th century. The north porticus remains intact, while the outline of the south porticus is still visible today.
The earliest known reference to St Laurence comes from the 12th-century historian William of Malmesbury, who documented its existence in the 1120s. He believed the church dated back to the time of St Aldhelm (d. 709 AD), a relative of King Ine of Wessex and a distinguished scholar. Aldhelm, appointed as the first Abbot of Malmesbury in 675 AD and later as Bishop of Sherborne around 705 AD, established a reputation that drew scholars from afar to study at Malmesbury Abbey. He also founded two other monastic centers in Frome, Somerset, and Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. St Laurence is often attributed to him and may have been part of his monastery at Bradford, which once stood parallel to the church. The site was later replaced by today’s Holy Trinity parish church, built in the 12th century.
A significant historical connection links St Laurence to King Æthelred the Unready (Æthelred II), who, in 1001 AD, granted Bradford to the nuns of Shaftesbury Abbey. It is believed that St Laurence was intended to house relics of King Edward the Martyr, Æthelred’s half-brother, whose remains were originally kept at Shaftesbury Abbey. This suggests that the church’s construction aligns with early 11th-century architectural styles rather than William of Malmesbury’s earlier dating. The church, while almost entirely Anglo-Saxon in design, has undergone some restoration, including the removal of interior stairs and the modification of certain windows.
Over time, St Laurence became obscured by surrounding buildings, including a schoolmaster’s house, and was largely forgotten until its rediscovery in 1856. Between 1870 and 1880, it underwent restoration, allowing it to function once more as a place of worship. Designated a Grade I listed building in 1952, St Laurence remains an integral part of the Holy Trinity Church congregation, hosting several services weekly and accommodating other Christian groups.
Beyond St Laurence, Bradford-on-Avon boasts a wealth of historically significant buildings. A visit to this charming town offers the chance to uncover its rich past, with the Church of St Laurence standing as an enduring testament to England’s Anglo-Saxon heritage. Though discreetly tucked away in the town center, its presence serves as a powerful reminder of our profound connection to the early medieval period.