Chorley, St Laurence

Chorley church, as it was first called, dates back to 1362. However, it is believed that a church existed on this site for many centuries before. This earlier church is believed to have been destroyed by Robert the Bruce when he sacked both Preston and Chorley in 1257.

The building you see today is grade II* listed, the Lady Chapel and vestry date back to 1362, the centre aisle and tower were built around 1400. The two outer aisles were added to the church in 1859. The church was reordered in 1999 with the addition of the parish centre.

The church was given its name of St Laurence when in 1434 James Standish gave the skull of St Laurence to Chorley church. The skull had been brought to England by James's brother, Sir Roland Standish after the battle of Agincourt. It is believed that the original skull was buried under the altar for safe keeping at the time of the Parliamentarians.

The links with the Standish family can bee seen throughout the church. At the back of the church is the Standish pew, an exquisite example of Elizabethan carved oak; in the Lady Chapel there are a number of plaques of the Standish family. Both in the pew and on the plaquies there are links to the Washington family, who's Stars and Stripes shield was the inspiration of the Stars and Stripes in the American flag. Perhaps the most famous of the Standish family is Miles Standish; one of the founding fathers of America, Miles is believed to have been baptised in St Laurence in 1584.

The church today is a vibrant place of activity throughout the week. On Tuesdays and Fridays, the refectory is open for refreshments, where you can have a lunch for a very modest price.

Postcode: PR7 1EB

Telephone: 01257 279 689

Website: www.blackburn.anglican.org/chorleystlaurence

Opening Times
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9.30am - 12.30noon
Tuesday and Friday, 9.30am - 2.30pm (refreshments/lunches available)
Saturday, 9.30am - 12.30noon (June to September)

Service Times

Sunday	8am	Eucharist 1662
1st Sunday	10am	Parish Eucharist
	6pm	Praise Service
2nd Sunday	10am	All Age Worship
	6pm	Wholeness/Eucharist
3rd Sunday	10am	Parish Eucharist
	3pm	Service of the Word
4th Sunday	10am	Parish Eucharist
	6pm	Evensong
Tuesday	12.10pm	Eucharist