West Wycombe Churches

•St Lawrence Church•
On the summit of West Wycombe Hill is the famous landmark, St Lawrence Church.

Built in the 14th century and then dramatically changed in 1752. This is certainly worth the climb up the hill to church

Sir Francis Dashwood followed the example of many patrons of his time and restored his medieval church. After a grand tour of Europe and Ottoman empire, Sir Francis had some grand ideas. The famous Golden Ball is a copy of the custom house in Venice.

With in the church you will see some amazing frescos. Artist were brought over from Italy to work on the Church as well as West Wycombe House. In the Chancel their a striking painting by Giovanni Borgnis of the Last Supper.

The church tower was also extended in this renovations. There are eight bells in the tower and can regularly heard ringing before weddings and services.

The tower is 80 metres high and there are over 100 steps taking you to the summit. The views from the top of the tower are amazing. Definitely worth the £2.00. The money from visitors climbing tower and donations are used to keep this church looking so amazing.

•St Pauls•
St. Paul's is known as the 'Winter Church' and St. Lawrence, on West Wycombe Hill as the 'Summer Church.' This was because there was no road up to St. Lawrence until 1928 and no power until the 1970s.

St. Paul's was built by Lady Elizabeth Dashwood, widow of Sir George Henry Dashwood to serve the village of West Wycombe. The architect was J. W. Hugall of Oxford and it was built in 1875.

St. Paul's is shared by the Serbian Orthodox Church, being named St. Nicholas by them. They hold a service each month.The most prominent feature of the church interior is an iconostasis covered with icons.

Tags: Historical Place,Christian Church,Religious Organization