Saint Laurence was among the seven deacons of the Roman church serving Pope Sixtus II, whose martyrdom preceded Laurence's by a few days: they were executed during the persecution under the Roman emperor Valerian. It is said that Laurence gave the church's treasures to the poor and the sick before his arrest.

During the reign of Edward the Confessor, permission was given for a church on the site at Cowley which was used by Monks, as the land was originally part of a parcel of the ancient possessions of Westminster. The Manor of Cowley was measured at forty shillings at this time!

In the 13th century there was a major reconstruction of the church. The former east wall was dismantled in order that the existing Chancel could be built on the main body of the church. The three Lancet windows at the east end are said to date from this period. All of the windows and braces are of different periods from Norman up to the present century. The reconstruction in the 13th century was carried out by the brothers in a piecemeal fashion as and when oak and flint became available.

School moved to Cowley high street where the church Hall now stands. A publication called The Country Child reads "Village Society sat in church, ordered by rank. Behind Sir Henry Vane sat two pews full of maids, demurely dressed in black with small neat bonnets on their parted hair. They hurried out of the church before the family like a company of mice before a cat. Sir Henry Vane as squire, had the right to turn round in church and go up omit the first to, to first to Holy communion.

There was a refurbishment of St. Laurence Church in Honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. This restoration saw the provision of a steam heating system, electric lighting to replace oil lamps and the provision of a small pipe organ. The organ was placed against the North Wall.

The churchyard had added space consecrated. William Sidney Try becomes churchwarden.

The roof timbers were badly decayed through the ravages of the deathwatch beetle and the tiled roof was sagging. The roof tiles were removed and some new timbers provided and the tiles replaced. At the same time the organ was moved to the rear of the church and placed between the gallery support and the North Wall. It remained there for several years until it was replaced by a modern organ in the lower gallery.

William Sidney Try passed away on the 6/8/1953. He served for 50 years as Churchwarden, a remarkable period of service.

Rev. George Gilson retires as Rector of Cowley after 24 years of dedicated service to Cowley.

A new Rector, Rev. Norman Chalk , his wife Heidi, and their family move into the newly built Rectory, and open up their house and garden for many memorable parish events throughout the years.

Rev Richard Christian becomes Priest in Charge at St Laurence, as well as Chaplain at Hillingdon Hospital. He is ably assisted by non-stipendiary Rev. Brian Wadland, who would cycle to Cowley from his home in Ealing, carrying out many pastoral duties.

Reverend father Robert Leach becomes the priest in charge and takes the approach to capturing the people from applications to christenings.

A new roof is fitted on the Church, it is a little bright and orange at first.

Electrics in church rewired by Phil Hopkins (fiancé of Sam Richards on PCC at that time).
Church repainted by Michael Plowright and Albert Pack.

Rev Robert Leach leaves for Suffolk.
The PCC decides to try to raise funds for a new meeting room behind the church itself.
Organist John Hewitt is presented a certificate and thanked for 30 years of service.
The church hall is refurbished, new flooring, curtains and tables and chairs are purchased.
The Parish thrives under another period of interregnum and discovers hidden talents amongst the congregation and the congregation grows closer appreciating and benefiting from the cross mix of generations.
Stephen Hardwick is announced as the incumbent to be licensed in September.
August St. Laurence day is celebrated with an act of worship in recognition and with thankful praise that we have been supported by 1000 Years of history on this site and that Christianity is as relevant today as it was then and will continue to be for the next 1000 years and beyond.

Sunday 20th February 2022, Revd. Ana Victoria (Vicky) Bastidas is licensed as Priest in Charge of St Laurence, Cowley, by Archdeacon of Northolt, The Venerable Catherine Pickford.