S Lawrence Little Stanmore (Whitchurch Lane Canons Park HA8)

Few buildings tell their story as dramatically as S Lawrence Little Stanmore. Its medieval tower, dating from around 1360, survives from the original parish church. In 1715, James Brydges, later the first Duke of Chandos, transformed the nave into the extraordinary building we know today, the only Continental Baroque parish church in the country. The church became an ecclesiastical opera house, with a theatrical interior of painted walls and ceilings, woodwork attributed to Grinling Gibbons and the historic organ constructed around 1717. Handel served the Duke as composer-in-residence and is believed to have played the organ here. His Chandos Anthems were almost certainly performed within these walls. The magnificent Chandos Mausoleum was added in 1736. Yet S Lawrence’s is not simply a museum or historic monument. It remains a living parish church, continuing the worship begun on this site many centuries ago. Come and discover this remarkable story during the Open House Festival: Sunday 20 September 14:00-17:00 Free entry All are warmly welcome.