Church of St. Laurence, Warminster

There was a chapel in the Market Place in the first half of the 13th century and tradition says that it was endowed by two maiden sisters called Hewett. It was a chapel of ease to St Denys's, serving the area that grew up around the new market place. Despite a petition saying that 800 people took communion there it was sold by Edward VI in 1550. The people of Warminster bought back their chapel in 1575 and feoffees, from the townspeople, were appointed to administer it. Since 1575 the vicar of Warminster has been the unpaid chaplain of the church. The church has a nave, eastern tower and spirelet but little medieval work is left after successive rebuildings.

It was restored in 1855-6 by the vicar, Arthur Fane. Since 1669 the church has been open to all denominations and regular services are still held. The curfew bell is still rung every evening at 8.00 p.m. but the 4.00 a.m. awakening bell has been discontinued. The clock of 1765, by Thomas Rudd, has no face but strikes and has to be wound daily. It was restored in 1949. Registers for christenings from 1821-1858 are held at the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office.