Reading Churches

Reading's churches represert a wide range of architectural styles, from the 12th century to the Victorian period, with many of them linked to Reading Abbey in its heyday.

St Laurence’s Church and Graveyard

Originally supported by Reading Abbey, this was the towns-people’s church and it has survived over 800 years of change, including a bomb blast that severely damaged the whole area during WWII. It is now a centre for youth outreach work. The shield of the St James pilgrimage can still be seen on the façade. In the graveyard behind the church you will see the 15^th century Hospitium, or guest house of Reading Abbey – now a nursery.

Friar St, Reading RG1 1DA / http://www.stlreading.org/

Reading Abbey ruins

Although currently closed while the ruins undergo a major conservation project, you can still see much of the ruins from the outside - Chestnut Walk and the eatsern end of Forbury Gardens. Henry I laid the foundation stone in 1121 and was buried there. Read more>>>

Greyfriars Church

Built by Franciscans in 1311, the main elements of Greyfriars survive to this day as the most complete example of Franciscan architecture in Britain. Grade I Listed. Greyfriars Church gathers over 600 adults and children each Sunday and is involved in a wide range of activities to serve the people of Reading.

Friar Street, Reading RG1 1EH http://www.greyfriars.org.uk/

St Giles-in-Reading

In 1191, Pope Clement II gave St Giles to Reading Abbey and throughout the middle ages it enjoyed the right of sanctuary. During the Civil War, St Giles's tower was garrisoned for the King and destroyed but the fabric was restored subsequently. Grade II Listed.

Church Street, Reading RG1 2SB / www.stgilesreading.org.uk

St James’s Church

The Church was built on the Reading Abbey site in the nineteenth century and was Pugin’s first church design. Built in the Norman style it was among the first Catholic churches to be built in England after the reformation.

1 Forbury Road, Reading, RG1 3HW www.jameswilliam-reading.org.uk

St Peter’s Church

Consecrated in 1162, the church has retained some of its Norman features along with monuments encapsulating the history of Caversham from the 12^th to 21^st centuries. It boasts lovely views over Caversham Court Gardens.

The Warren, Caversham, Reading, RG4 7AQ http://www.stpetercaversham.org.uk/