Forum Topic

St Lawrence Church

Historic England lists this building as a Grade II*. The tower was built in the 15th Century. It's derelict, neglected and unloved. Lost in time - like an ancient sentry watching over the modern development of a town, but left behind and long forgotten. The nearby Holiday Inn has more of a signature on Brentford than this slice of the past.I'm sure there are people on this forum who could enlighten us further about the history and current situation about this old church.

Paul Brownlee ● 2462d12 Comments

I can not remember the exact amount but when Brentford Dock was being built a small amount of graves where moved as the roadway was widened & the church boundry wall moved over. In this time I had communications with GLC the Church ,Hounslow  council the company that had purchased the land also a Gentleman from parks & recrietions the last mentioned was the only person to show any interest or concern he was so helpful but sadly he has now passed on. wo years ago  I spoke to a man in planning section at Ballmore who was so nasty his reply to my concern was its passed the 100 year time we don't have to show any respect to the graves .I asked if my letters had even been looked at the answer I got followed by being cut off was filed in the bin where they belong

Jeannette Smith ● 2418d

That is sad, Jeanette. 1980, so was that during when Brentford Dock was being built. Was it the GLC or the Church Commissioners you were dealing with? I should have thought that all remains would have been moved and reburied. That would certainly happen now. I think Ballymore plan for the cemetary area to be a garden. You could ask for them to erect a plaque when they do the work?

Iain Muir ● 2438d

I tried but they insisted they had no contact address for grave holders even thought I told them I could provide them with a copy of my letter paperwork & proof that I had listed myself as said person in 1980 .two days after this conversation before my reply could reach them they desecrated the area. the response from a jumped up young clerk was you could not have know them they died over 80 years ago ( BETWEEN 1895 & 1909).I am not against the grounds being re modernised but a Cristian service or something like would have been acceptable but no they wont even put up a memorial plaque in memory of those that will lie under the slabbed car park r whatever they put there.

Jeannette Smith ● 2438d

Surely you can complain about this shoddy treatment?

Keith Iddon ● 2443d

This speaks volumes about our society!!!

Nicholas Beard ● 2443d

Not just the church grounds but the added land joined to the church yard that  was owned by the council was also flattened to the ground with no warning to family members that I know of .I for one was not told & I have had one of the graves registered in my name for many years as a precaution,

Jeannette Smith ● 2443d

Re your last sentance I did not know this had happened. I am really shocked.

Nicholas Beard ● 2450d

St Lawrence in its days was a popular Church records iv see say it even had its own football team. it was  used a lot  by the Canal boat people. I have lots of parish records for my boatmen baptised, married & sadly buried there. Dispite promises to re locate the ones buried there they have not kept their word I have 4 children & 5 adults from my family tree buried there their stones where wrenched out the ground & thrown in a pile.

Jeannette Smith ● 2451d

Thanks for your info - but how very depressing. It appears that Hounslow Council is both historically and culturally barren and devoid of any sense of heritage.

Paul Brownlee ● 2460d

Agree Keith, but probably too small for their aspirations and more expensive than a new build, better location than the police station though. Too late now...

Iain Muir ● 2461d

Wouldn't be a bad spot to put Waterman's Art Centre imo.

Keith Iddon ● 2461d

It is part of the Ballymore scheme. You might remember scaffolding was up for a long time a while ago as they worked on the exterior. It is planned for leisure use, a gym or suchlike.....

Iain Muir ● 2461d