Forum Topic

St Lawrence Church

Well done Andrew (Dakers) on pursuing the case of the upkeep of local historic buildings. See article on front page of our forum “Government Called On To Save Hounslow's Historic Buildings”.One of the building mentioned is the St Lawrence Church at Brentford Bridge. We had a topic before on the selling of this: ‘St Lawrence Church, Brentford up for sale’ (posted 05/07/04) - St Lawrence's Church, on the corner of Brentford High St and Augustus Close is up for sale for £1.5m, agents are Dunphys, and in September 2004 a Sold notice went up.Andrew mentions in the article on the Liberal democrat website that St Lawrence Church is up for sale. Do you Andrew or anybody else know who owns it now? Is it Geronimo? If so, why are they selling this part off separately from the other properties they have on the South of the High Street?

Duncan Walker ● 6483d19 Comments

I think that was one of the proposals

Neil Chippendale ● 6443d

was it not going to be a restaurant at one time?  That would be a good use for it, with all those flats around, where are all those jamie olivers and gordon ramseys, we need this building to be something locals will use, take the old fire station?

Jo Smith ● 6443d

A great thread...great input from all.

Jim Lawes ● 6476d

Thanks again Andrew.

Neil Chippendale ● 6481d

Doomed heroes all...Look around you,was it worth it?I wonder if the F.Goddard on the memorial is a relative of the local shop owner and whether J Fuller was related to the brewer?

Keith Iddon ● 6481d

If you look at the last bit of land registry research:http://www.brentfordcc.org.uk/content_images/Brentford_High_St_Plan_01_L.jpg...you will see St Lawrences is owned by Sunley Richmond.  I think their website is www.sunley.co.uk My understanding is that Sunley are working in close partnership with Ballymore and supporting the plans they will put forward for pre-application consultation later this year.  The mention of sale in the press release on the Lib Dem website is in an extract from the recent English Heritage report.  This may have been based on the "for sale" sign on the outside of the St Lawrences building.  Perhaps Sunley are keeping their options open?Andrew

Andrew Dakers ● 6482d

Only the other day, my husband and i commented on what a shame it was to see this lovely church apparently abandoned! Hopefully somebody will soon see sense and return the church to its former glory for all of Brentford to enjoy.  I personally don't mind what they use the church for, as long as the features, history and objects of interest are maintained and shown  the respect they deserve........

Louisa Button ● 6482d

The WW1 memorial was meant to be moved to the Brentford Library. If you look you will see a space left for it amongst the other memorials.Unfortunatly no money could be found to move it.

Neil Chippendale ● 6482d

Here is a close-up of the war memorial, which is next to the drinking fountain:The names are clearly visible. I wonder if any Forum member’s relations appear on this?

Duncan Walker ● 6482d

Sarah, your idea of Thames Water sponsoring the drinking fountains sounds a good one.I took this close-up of the fountain this morning:The inscription on the back stone reads:    “Let himThat is athirst      ComeAnd whosoever will  Let him takeThe water of life      Freely      Thank       God”I think the inscription on the stone underneath reads:“Pure filtered water      Given by The Grand JunctionWaterworks Company”I read that the drinking fountain was given by the Grand Junction Waterworks Company in 1862.

Duncan Walker ● 6482d

LBH is lucky to have a member of staff who is passionate about the buildings. A combination of Cllr. Lynch and this staff member should bring results.

Neil Chippendale ● 6483d

Quite right John, compliments are also due to the LBH administration, here is the relevant comment by Andrew:“After many years of in action Hounslow’s new adminstration are showing renewed interest in our historic buildings and are starting to put in place new plans for Gunnersbury and Boston Manor Park. “Twelve months after the local elections and Cllr Lynch was appointed as Hounslow’s Heritage Champion. He has busy times ahead and can not risk complacency as some of these heritage assets are quickly crumbling away.”

Duncan Walker ● 6483d

Lovely Duncan - walking in Jim's footsteps!I would really like to see the drinking fountain at the front of your last photograph back into use and maintained.  Might Thames Water sponsor all the fountains (can't be many left - anyone know how many and where they are?) in the Borough as a neighbourly gesture?

Sarah Felstead ● 6483d

DuncanIn the front page article Cllr Andrew Dakers is complimenting the new, current  LBH administration for its efforts. I'm pleased  too with the  drive and effort being persued to maintain and repair  the LBH portfolio of Historical Buildings.

John Todd ● 6483d

Thanks Jim, the cheque is in the post!

Duncan Walker ● 6483d

2nd try with larger size of image.....Here is the tower hidden by the trees:The entrance behind the security fence:The tower above the entrance:The side of the church:

Duncan Walker ● 6483d

Yippee Duncan!I'm glad that your attendance at the Brentford Forum School of Picture Posting has achieved rapid results!  You'll find there's no time for retirement now!

Jim Lawes ● 6483d

Neil, that sounds like a feasible explanation. I walked down to the church and took these photos this afternoon. Jim (Lawes) gave me a few tips on how to put photos in Flickr and then use them in a forum message, so here goes....It is a fine tower, but there will be some work needed to repair the damage and to cut back the trees, but well worth retaining such an important building.Here is the tower hidden by the trees:The entrance behind the security fence:The tower above the entrance:The side of the church:

Duncan Walker ● 6483d

If they own it they might be thinking that an acceptable development on the site will be costly and time consuming, Heritage Consultants and Architects etc so why not let someone else

Neil Chippendale ● 6483d