About Saint Lawrence's.

The ancient church of St. Lawrence is generally believed to date from AD 1095 – although this is partly guesswork based on the Norman window. It fell into disuse when St. Mary’s was built, but was renovated and brought back into regular use in the mid- 1960’s, under the guidance of the rector at the time.

St. Lawrence’s plays an integral part in church life today, being used for services, including evensong, on a regular basis. A short Family Service takes place on the third Sunday of every month, at 11:30am, which is specially suited to young families. The portable font enables baptisms to be performed, and weddings can be celebrated if a special licence is granted.

St. Lawrence’s church plays an important role in the celebration of Holy Week, especially for the Maundy Thursday service, and the overnight vigil leading into Good Friday, when St. Lawrence’s becomes the Garden of Repose.

In December, worshippers from many of Caterham’s churches join together in St. Lawrence’s Church for an ecumenical carol service, and in August, St. Lawrence Day is celebrated with another ecumenical service.

For some years, the religious group “The Society of Friends” (Quakers) met every Sunday in St. Lawrence’s church. As a memento of their association with the church, they presented a maple tree to be planted in the grounds.  Until quite recently the church was the meeting place for a Romanian Orthodox group who, every Sunday morning, came from all over SE England for their service.

It is indeed a spiritual centre for all.

Currently, St Mary’s PCC (Parochial Church Council) is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of St Lawrence’s, but the Guild of Friends of St Lawrence’s continues to support the use of the church for religious purposes and by the wider community.