Effingham with Little Bookham

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St. Lawrence Church, Effingham.

The earliest mention of a church at Effingham is around 1147 when the monks of Merton Abbey were given it by the Bishop of Winchester. Confirmation of the grant was made in 1269 and in 1291 it was valued at £14.13s.4d. There have been a succession of incumbents since 1296 beginning with Nicholas de Ros. These are listed on an incumbents board.

The nave is typical C12 and the transpect dates to around 1250-70. In the north wall is a two-light window which can be dated to 1340. Major repairs to the chancel were carried out in 1388 on the orders of William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester. On the outside of the north wall are two carved heads one of which is said to be an earlier prior, William de Brokebourne.

The present tower, the third in the history of the church, was erected in 1887 by the Victorians, together with much stained glass and the brass altar rail. An unsightly gallery was also removed at this time.

There is evidence of a very interesting ancient heart burial in the south wall. It was the practice from the 12th century until fairly recently to bury hearts of people in the church walls. The pulpit is made from an old oak tie beam from the chancel roof.

The organ was constructed by Mr.A.Kirkland in 1894 and enlarged in 1899 along with a new choir vestry. In 1933 Barnes Wallis , who was PCC secretary for eight years and a benefactor to the village, removed the roof of the chapel exposing a beautiful mediaeval crown post roof built in the early C14.

As well as an ancient piscine and aumbry in the St.Nicholas chapel there is also a Parish Chest dating back to 1745. This chest is unusual in that it has dovetailed corners and is unlike any other in Surrey.