Repair work begins on 15th century St Lawrence Church in Ipswich
St Lawrence Church on Dial Lane will undergo restoration work to repair stonework and flint on its exterior after concerns that parts of the Grade II* listed building were at risk of falling onto the public below.
Why it matters: The works will ensure the church, which now houses community hub and café Realise Futures St Lawrence Café, can continue to be used safely.
The details: In December 2023, Ipswich Borough Council leader Neil MacDonald wrote a report stating that work would cost £280,000 to repair the Grade II* listed building.
In the report, he said that "it was noted certain areas of the church tower stonework was bulging and at risk of falling on to the public below".
Scaffolding was swiftly put up around the exterior and has been in place since.
In November 2024, the council submitted a planning application to conduct the repair work on the building, and this was approved in December 2024.
For context: In the early 1970s, there was virtually no one left residing in the parish of St Lawrence, and it was soon closed down and declared redundant.
However, in 2006, Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council jointly developed the church as a community resource centre and its restoration was funded entirely by the councils.
This work led to its bells being returned in 2009 for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century.
These five bells, four cast in the 1450s and a fifth added in the 1480s, are the oldest circle of five bells in the world.
The bottom line: The repair work will preserve a significant piece of Ipswich's heritage whilst ensuring the building can continue serving the community as a café and hub supporting people into employment.
Businesses are open as usual.
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