Waltham Abbey Church

Waltham Abbey
Waltham Abbey
Waltham Abbey
Waltham Abbey is located in Essex
Waltham Abbey
Waltham Abbey
Location of Waltham Abbey
51°41′15″N 0°00′13″W / 51.6875°N 0.0035°W / 51.6875; -0.0035
OS grid referenceTL3799300687
LocationWaltham Abbey, Essex
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
Websitewww.walthamabbeychurch.co.uk
History
Founded1030
DedicationThe Holy Cross and Lawrence of Rome
Consecrated1060 (present church)
Associated peopleHarold Godwinson; Thomas Tallis, former organist
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade I listed building[1]
Architectural typeAbbey
StyleNorman
Administration
ProvinceCanterbury
DioceseChelmsford
DeaneryEpping Forest
ParishWaltham Holy Cross
Clergy
Vicar(s)The Revd Peter Smith
Laity
Organist(s)Jonathan Lilley

The Abbey Church of Waltham Holy Cross and St Lawrence, also known as Waltham Abbey or Waltham Abbey Church, is the parish church of the town of Waltham Abbey, Essex, England. It has been a place of worship since the 7th century. The present building dates mainly from the early 12th century and is an example of Norman architecture. To the east of the existing church are traces of an enormous eastward enlargement of the building, begun following the re-foundation of the abbey in 1177. In the Late Middle Ages, Waltham was one of the largest church buildings in England and a major site of pilgrimage; in 1540 it was the last religious community to be closed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. It is still an active parish church for the town,[2] and is a grade I listed building.[1]

The monastic buildings and those parts of the church east of the crossing were demolished at the Dissolution, and the Norman crossing tower and transepts collapsed in 1553. The present-day church consists of the nave of the Norman abbey church, the 14th-century lady chapel and west wall, and a 16th-century west tower, added after the dissolution.[3]

King Harold Godwinson, who died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, is said to be buried in the present churchyard.

  1. ^ a b Historic England. "Church of Holy Cross and St Lawrence ruins to east of Church of Holy Cross and St Lawrence (1124155)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  2. ^ Joseph Clayton (1912). "Waltham Abbey". In Catholic Encyclopedia. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference bettley was invoked but never defined (see the help page).