Church of St Laurence, Petersfield

Introduction

The church is a cruciform red-brick building in Italian style with a copper dome over an octagonal drum, each face defined by an order and containing one round-arched window.

Architecture and furnishings

The nave is four bays and two storeys, with an order to each storey and round-arched first-floor windows with a springing band. The transepts are one bay with large round blank arches in their ends. The chancel is one pedimented bay with a lower apse to the east, and all ends are pedimented. Inside, the nave has a segmental vault.

The dome was re-covered with copper in 2011, and the inside of the dome was painted at the same time. On Sunday mornings a sung Mass is led by a Cantor, and a small choir is formed to lead worship at festivals.

Parish life

The parish supports the Kings Arms, a club for local young people aged 11-19. The parish has a Justice and Peace Group. The Liturgy Group includes leaders of various ministries, such as Sacristans, Ministers of the Eucharist, Readers, Musicians, Sidespersons and Servers. A team of flower arrangers decorates the church for festive seasons and Saints' Days.

The parish publishes a twice yearly magazine called 'The Dome'. The parish celebrates St Laurence's Feast Day with drinks on the front lawn, weather permitting.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Every child who has taken their First Communion has the opportunity to join the team of servers. The parish has a dedicated team of readers for Masses and festivals, with full training and support given in return for a commitment to read twice every three months.

The parish shares Morning Prayer together online daily except Sundays. The parish has a team that arranges flowers in the church, with volunteers taking two-week slots within a quarterly rota.

The parish has a brass cleaning team looking for more volunteers. The knitting group produces blankets sent to a hostel in Kingston Road, Portsmouth, who care for the homeless.