Published on: 01/08/2025
A major restoration project to the church tower and spire at All Saints Laughton en-le-Morthen has been completed. With work taking place on and off over the last decade, the hard work and dedication from churchwardens and members of the congregation has helped to see the repairs come to fruition.
Costing around £120,000, the need for the restoration came apparent in 2017 when the bell ringing group there wanted to install some new bells, but were told big repairs were needed before this could happen. With the last major tower works taking place at the church in 1989, preliminary investigations took place with an architect before plans were accelerated in 2021 after Covid-19.
A 14th century church, All Saints has a spire which can be seen for miles around and is unique in the area for its size. Parts of the building date back to Saxon times, with the north doorway still in place from that era. It is also thought the location was a seat of holding for a Saxon Lord. Sections of the Norman church which replaced the destroyed Saxon segments are still visible, with the tower and spire seen today dating from the late 1300s onwards and measuring at 185 feet together.
Churchwarden Paul Clinton said:
“After the initial analysis we started looking at it just before Covid, but then Covid put a stop on a lot of things. In 2021 we started looking into it again, and that’s when it started in earnest. We looked at what needed to be done, how it could be done and doing it within budget as well. This has cost around £120,000, so it’s a significant amount for us and we’re very grateful to all the donations we’ve received towards it.
“I think this news is important to help preserve this beautiful and historic landmark for generations to come. It’s beloved by a lot of people, including those who don’t necessarily attend the church as part of the congregation – it’s just about trying to preserve this near 1,000-year-old building for the future.”
Revd Beth Langner, Priest in Charge of All Saints Laughton, said:
“As I arrived in late 2023 the tower works were in the final stages of planning. The hard work and dedication of our church wardens and members of the congregation is outstanding. I am pleased (and a little relieved) the work is finally finished and look forward to all God is calling his church in Laughton to.”
