Description
This book covers the history of the Church of St Laurence from its foundation right up to the present, setting its history firmly in the context of the development of the local community. Thus the granting of markets for the town and the development of the church building are seen as complementary, the increasing population affecting the extension and embellishment of the church; whilst at any given time the ministry of the church and the rector’s personality can be seen to affect the life of the town. Thus, too, national affairs and reform in the wider Church are reflected in the church at Stretton, with rectors sometimes in the vanguard of change and occasionally following along somewhat reluctantly.
Developments in the physical structure and internal order of the church are covered, along with the details of benefactions, the establishment of daughter churches in the neighbouring settlements of the parish, relationships with the other denominations, links with churches abroad – and all the time the changes and events that helped shape Church Stretton as a whole.
You don’t have to be a die-hard follower of the Anglican faith to enjoy reading this well-researched book that will leave you with a much greater feeling for and knowledge of the parish and community of Church Stretton.
Douglas Grounds read Modern History at Oxford and took a research degree in the History of Education at Sheffield. He taught History in grammar and comprehensive schools in several parts of the country before becoming Head of a large inner-city Church of England comprehensive school. Two years after retiring to Church Stretton he began work on the history of St Laurence’s and became a churchwarden in 1997.
Paperback | 352 pages | 234 x 156 mm | 2002
b&w illustrations
ISBN 9781873827437
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.