St. Swithuns Church

Nice old church
Jan 28th, 2019

TheChurch of England parish churchofSaint SwithunisDecorated Gothic, built early in the 14th century. It has a southaisle, linked with thenaveby anarcadeof fourbays. Late in the 15th century thePerpendicular Gothicclerestorywas added to thenave. Thechancelwindows and one window in the south aisle are also Perpendicular Gothic. Thefontis much older than the church, dating from late in the 12th century.The tower had aspirebut it became unsafe and in 1796 it was removed. St Swithun's most notablemonumentsare wall-mounted ones in the chancel commemorating John Doyley (died 1593) and his wife, Elizabeth Poole (died 1621) and Richard Harrington (died 1712). Aturret clockfor St Swithun's was made late in the 17th century. Its original dial had only an hour hand.In 1867 this was replaced with a new dial that has both hour and minute hands. Some time after 1989 a new turret clock was installed; the 17th century original is now displayed in the nave.St Swithun's had been decorated with mediaevalwall paintings, once brightly coloured but by 1823 described as"dim with age". During the restoration work it was found impossible to remove the layers of whitewash covering them. St Swithun's is aGrade I listed building. In theEdwardineInventory of 1552 St Swithun's had three bells and aSanctusbell.In 1795 thebell towerhad aringof seven bells but thechurchwardensobtained permission to sell five of them to pay for a new lead roof for the church. By the 1950s there were only two bells: one cast by Richard Keene ofWoodstockin 1694 and the other cast in 1887. In 1565 the Crown sold theadvowsonand rectory toWilliam Petre, who in 1572 gave both toExeter College, Oxford.
Feb 21st, 2021

Apr 19th, 2019