Lapworth

A Warwickshire Village

Churches in Lapworth

St Mary the Virgin, the parish church of Lapworth traces a history back to the tenth century AD, when when a Saxon wattle and wood church stood where the nave now stands.

In AD 1100 a stone church existed on the site of the present nave and chancel; the succeeding nine centuries have given Lapworth an outstandingly beautiful and interesting church. Building which "began in the 12th century continued at intervals over 300 years so that the general impression now from the outside, is of a 15th century church," (A Warwickshire Village Church, by Mildred Tomlinson).

Sunday services are usually at 08:30 (Holy Communion), and 11:00, (Family service first Sunday, Matins second and fourth Sunday, and Parish Communion third Sunday). Evening services take place regularly as announced in the parish magazine. There is a Sunday School and Flower Guild, and study and prayer groups, while the Bell ringing team meets on Thursday and the Choir on Friday nights.


St Giles's, Packwood, the other parish church within the civil parish of Lapworth, has been used for Christian worship for nearly 800 years. Its nave and chancel date back to the late 13th century, and notable later additions include the tower, known locally as "The Tower of the Atonement," a reference to the 15 century Lord of the Manor Nicholas Brome who returned home unexpectedly to find the parish priest "chockinge his wife under ye chinne," and slew him on the spot. As penance, after pardons from Pope and King, he built towers to the churches of Packwood and Baddesly Clinton. In 1704 the brick built transept was added as the Fetherston Chapel: two years later the parents of Dr Samuel Johnson were married at St Giles's.

Sunday services are usually at 09:00 (Holy Communion), 11:15 (Matins second, third and fifth Sundays, choral Communion, fourth Sunsay). Sunday School meets at 10:00 (except first Sunday) in St Thomas's Church Cabin.

St Michael's, Baddesley Clinton, is just outside Lapworth's boundary. It is close by the National trust property of Baddesly Clinton House. Both Church and house have long and close links with the Ferrers family. The earliest record of a church is dated 1305, but it is believed there was a church on or near this site two ,or possibly three centuries earlier. The quick tempered Lord of the Manor Nicholas Brome who built the tower as a penance is buried just outside the south door "within the parish church of St James in Baddesly Clinton, there as people may tread apon mee when they cone into the church..." The dedication has changed from St James to St Michael, possibly following 19th century restoration.

The rector of Lapworth is also the incumbent of Baddesly Clinton. Sunday services are usually at 09:45 (Holy Communion, first and third Sundays, Matins fifth Sunday) and 15:00 hours (Evensong, second and fourth Sundays).

The Lees Chapel, in Station Lane, was founded in 1886 by William Lees as the Kingswood Mission. In 1902 the present chapel was built and named the "Lees Memorial Hall." The Lees Chapel is affiliated to the Fellowship of Independedent Evangelical Churches.

In 1995 a major redevelopment was completed, providing modern facilities for the young peoples work, access for the physically disabled and new space for an expanding range of activities.

Meetings are held on Sundays at 10:00 (Communion), 11:00 (Morning Worship and Sunday School), and 18:00 (Evening Worship). On the third Sunday of the month from September to May, Evening Worship is replaced by a Tea-Time service at 16:30. From June to August the group meets locally every other week at about 16:00 for an open air service. Meetings are also held on Mondays for Prayer and Thursdays for Bible study. Meetings for young people are held on Friday evenings for various age groups. Ladies meet on Thursdays for fellowship and prayer, and about six times a year hold LinK meetings, usually with a speaker on a topical subject and a practical demonstration.

St Francis of Assisi though not in Lapworth is the nearest Catholic Church. It  is located in Baddesly Clinton (some would say Chadwick End) about two miles to the East of Lapworth.  It is a fairly recent building, being completed in  1894. The parish of  the Church of St Francis of Assisi is about 60 square miles (100 square kilometers) and includes many of the surrounding villages. Times of masses are Saturday (for Sunday) 6.00 pm and Sunday 9.30 am. And for holidays of Obligation 9.30 am & 7.30 pm. Confessions are Saturday 4:30 to 5:00 p.m.

St. Mary and St, Abu-Seifein  is a  Coptic church  located  on Lapworth Street.  It is in the Midland diocese of the British Orthodox Church.