St Laurence's Church, Coventry

St Laurence's is the Church of England parish church of Foleshill, Coventry. It is a Grade II* listed building with features, including the tower, from the 15th century. It is located on Old Church Road (B4082) to the north-east of Coventry city centre.

History
The first place of worship to occupy the site is thought to be a small chapel provided by Lady Godiva. Both she and her husband Leofric, Earl of Mercia paid for many religious buildings in the region. After the Norman Conquest, the Anglo-Saxon chapel was replaced by one of sandstone in c.1150. The tower and north aisle were added in the 15th and 16th centuries respectively. The Norman ashlared sandstone chancel was replaced in 1782 with one of brick containing a Palladian window. This window was replaced with a stained glass rose in the 19th century, the south aisle and vestry also date from this period. In the 20th century a choir vestry and south transept were added, and extensive repairs were carried out after incendiary bomb damage in the Second World War.

Interior
The church contains the original 12th century font, as well as a 16th century iron bound chest. Also of interest are the cast iron columns added in 1816 with the south aisle.

Bells
There are three bells in the tower, all by Hugh Watts of Leicester. Two of the bells were cast in 1616, with a treble being added in 1635. They are currently in a state of dereliction, having had their wheels removed and stocks braced to the frame. The tenor can be rung half muffled by a rope attached to the clapper.