lˈɔːɹəns wʌz ɔːɹdˈeɪnd dˈiːkən ɪn mˈeɪ nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd twˈɛnti fˈoːɹ ænd pɹˈiːst ɪn mˈeɪ nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd twˈɛnti fˈaɪv, ˌɔn bˈoʊθ əkˈeɪʒənz baɪ hɪz ˈoʊn fˈɑːðɚ, bˈɪʃəp wˈɪljəm lˈɔːɹəns.
Lawrence was ordained deacon in May 1924 and priest in May 1925, on both occasions by his own father, Bishop William Lawrence.