St Laurence-in-Thanet
History
The church, founded in 1062, is a grade I listed building, and is the oldest church in Ramsgate. It was an abbey church until 1275, when it became the parish church for the entire area, and inherited many of the former responsibilities of the church in nearby Minster. The building was enlarged in the 12th and 13th centuries, when the chancel and side aisles were added.
A lightning strike in 1439 resulted in the church being rebuilt, with the tower being raised to its present height.
As Ramsgate grew in size, the town was granted its own church. St Laurence became a separate parish for the villagers of St Lawrence in 1826, just as the parish church of St George was being built to serve the residents of the town.
Churchyard
St Laurence has a large churchyard covering three and a half acres. It contains over 1400 known graves, the earliest of which is dated to 1656. It also contains the mausoleum of the family of one of Queen Victoria's cousins, Augusta d'Este, later Baroness Truro.
Notable burials in the graveyard:
- Admiral William Fox (c1733-1810)
- Sir William Garrow (1760–1840)
- John Collis Browne (1819–1884)
The d'Este Mausoleum:
- John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore (1732–1809)
- Lady Augusta Murray (1761-1830)
- Thomas Wilde, 1st Baron Truro (1782–1855)
- Augusta Emma d'Este (1801–1866)
References
- ^ Historic England. "Church of St Laurence (1336662)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ "St Laurence: About". The Parish of St Laurence-In-Thanet, Ramsgate. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ "Ramsgate, St Laurence in Thanet Church, History & Photos". Britain Express. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Laughton - Laverstoke Pages 33-37 A Topographical Dictionary of England. Originally published by S Lewis, London, 1848". British History Online.
- ^ "St Lawrence, Laurence, Ramsgate, Thanet – Churchyard". Kent Archaeological Society. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ "William Fox". More than Nelson.
- ^ "St. Laurence Churchyard". Ramsgate – Kent's Coastal Heritage Town. Ramsgate Town Council. Retrieved 3 February 2018.