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).
Follow the link above for for information about services and other aspects of the Church.
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 Francis
of Assisi
though not in Lapworth is the nearest Catholic Church. It is located in Baddesley
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.
You can view a bigger picture here.
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. Mary and St Mark's is the Coptic Orthodox Centre located on Lapworth Street that is in the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands & Affiliated Areas U.K..
The Centre in Lapworth was established by H.G. Bishop Missael in 1989. At the time the Church was within the Centre itself called St. Mary & St. Mark's Coptic Centre. It was consecrated by H.H. Pope Shenouda III on the 22nd of August 1989. As the years past, the congregation had grew significantly and the need for a bigger Church was identified by the Bishop. The new Church, named after St. Mary & St. Abu-Sefein, was built next to the Centre in the year 2000 and was consecrated by H.H. Pope Shenouda III on the 19th February 2006.