Description
St Lawrence's Church had close connections with the Manor of Boston, and may have been built by Lord of the Manor Ralf de Brito in the C12th. The medieval church was rebuilt in 1764 retaining its C15th tower, and later remodelled in 1875. It ceased to be used as a church in 1969 and is closed, although there are plans for its eventual use as a theatre and restaurant. Among those buried in the churchyard were members of the Clitherow family who owned Boston Manor from 1670-1924.
Practical Information
| Site location | Augustus Close/High Street, Brentford |
|---|---|
| Postcode | TW8 |
| What3Words | ///tracks.expert.woods |
| Type of Site | Churchyard |
| Borough | Hounslow |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | fenced off |
| Public Transport | Rail: Kew Bridge |
| Research Updated | 1 November 2005 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
This is probably the site of a church and churchyard built by Ralf de Brito adjoining his house in 1163, when he was granted the Manor of Boston (earlier called Bordeston, Borstone and then Burston), which is thought to have been set up by Gervais de Blois, an illegitimate son of King Stephen. The church had close connections with the Manor of Boston and in 1646 Sir Edward Spencer, husband of Lady Mary Reade who had inherited the estate in 1621, had built a Church House for the minister of St Lawrence's Church, which was used until it was demolished in the C19th. Among those buried in St Lawrence's churchyard were members of the Clitherow family who owned Boston Manor from 1670-1924, including James Clitherow (d.1682), his grandson James (d.1752) and James Clitherow IV (d.1841). The church was rebuilt in 1764 by Thomas Hardwick retaining its C15th tower, and it was later remodelled by B and E B Ferrey in 1875.
St Lawrence's Church ceased to be used as a church in 1969 and is now closed. There are plans for its eventual use as a theatre and restaurant, but the derelict and overgrown walled churchyard is fenced off from public access. A drinking fountain and war memorial plaque are located on the boundary wall on High Street.
St Lawrence's Church ceased to be used as a church in 1969 and is now closed. There are plans for its eventual use as a theatre and restaurant, but the derelict and overgrown walled churchyard is fenced off from public access. A drinking fountain and war memorial plaque are located on the boundary wall on High Street.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ174772 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Diocese of London |
| Dates | C12th |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Hounslow |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - SRB |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Brent Lea Recreation Ground is located adjacent to Syon Park, and a length of the old walls to Syon Park from the boundary. The park is on slightly undulating ground with a few trees.
St Paul's Recreation Ground was donated to the public and opened in 1887 in celebration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee. A red marble Jubilee Obelisk dated 1887 records the gift of the park, erected by public subscription. The park also has a drinking fountain on a square stepped base, much vandalised. There are avenues of lime trees and clumps of shrubbery among the grass.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Originally the site of a medieval abbey founded in 1415, Syon was named after Mount Zion in the Holy Land. The gardens at Syon have an extensive collection of rare trees and plants, a legacy of the landscaping by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown for the Duke of Northumberland.
Originally the site of a medieval abbey founded in 1415, Syon was named after Mount Zion in the Holy Land. The gardens at Syon have an extensive collection of rare trees and plants, a legacy of the landscaping by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown for the Duke of Northumberland.