A fascinating new exhibition at St Laurence Church will invite visitors to step into centuries of local history this summer, exploring everything from Roman archaeology and medieval artefacts to the remarkable workings of the church bells and the future of the historic building itself.
Bells, Crosses and Treasures: An Exhibition of Discovery will open at St Laurence Church from 10am to 1pm on Fridays and Saturdays throughout July and on Saturday 1 August, offering visitors a chance to uncover the stories hidden within one of Stroud’s most historic buildings.
The exhibition forms part of St Laurence Restored – Preserving Stroud’s Historic Heart, a National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported project currently in its Development stage. The project aims to secure the future of St Laurence Church, remove it from the Heritage at Risk Register, and celebrate the rich history, heritage and community life at the heart of Stroud.
At the heart of the exhibition will be a museum-style display case containing a collection of intriguing objects discovered in and around the church over many centuries. Each artefact poses a mystery and tells a story.
Visitors will be invited to ask questions such as: Were the Romans really in Stroud? Was a medieval buckle lost accidentally or deliberately buried? Who dropped a clay pipe in the churchyard? And who selected the ornate handle for a loved one’s coffin?
Among the objects on display are fragments of Roman roof tile, providing evidence of Roman activity in Stroud where buildings once stood on Slad Road and Summer Street; a buckle fragment dating from the 13th or 14th century, contemporary with the construction of St Laurence’s tower around 1340, displayed alongside a modern lost earring; ceramic shards whose original purpose remains a mystery; historic and modern examples of lead ‘came’, the material used to hold stained glass together; a clay pipe that may have been dropped by workers; and a cast-iron coffin handle, known as a ‘grip’, probably selected from a catalogue for a friend or relative.
The exhibition will also feature a specially commissioned nine-minute film by videographer Dominic White, offering a rare glimpse inside the ringing chamber and revealing how the ten bells of St Laurence work, while celebrating the welcoming community of bell ringers who bring them to life each week.
As part of the church’s restoration plans, visitors will also have the opportunity to see three ideas and designs for the outside of the church. Historically, nine decorative crosses crowned the church’s gables, but only two survive today and are in poor condition.
Camilla Hale, Community Engagement Lead for St Laurence Restored – Preserving Stroud’s Historic Heart, said:
‘Every object in this exhibition tells a story about the people who have passed through St Laurence over hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of years. Some of those stories we know, and many we can only imagine.
‘We hope visitors will enjoy exploring these mysteries, discovering the remarkable heritage of St Laurence, and sharing their ideas for its future as we work to secure this important building and preserve Stroud’s historic heart for generations to come.’
Bells, Crosses and Treasures: An Exhibition of Discovery will be open from 10am to 1pm on Fridays 10, 17, 24 and 31 July; Saturdays 11, 18 and 25 July; and Saturday 1 August 2026.
Admission is free and all are welcome.
