Compton Beauchamp : St Swithun

The Church of England parish church of Saint Swithun is 13th century and is built of chalk. This ancient church is unusual in that most of the furnishings date from the 20th century. These were commissioned by Samuel Gurney, an Anglo Catholic who lived in Compton Beauchamp from 1924 until his death in 1968. He commissioned the artist Martin Travers to redesign the interior, which was completely reordered between 1925 and 1950.

About this church

In the nave, you will see that the 15th century font has a canopy designed by Travers in 1933. There are three 18th century wall monuments, one to Rachell Richards of the Manor House, one to Anne her daughter and, unusually, one to their housekeeper, Mary Cooper. The inscriptions suggest that they were formidable women. Elsewhere in the church you will find other memorials.

The Lady Chapel at the west end of the Nave is a Travers arrangement from 1934. The Altar stone, possibly dating back to the original Norman building, was discovered during the rebuilding. Under this Altar is a chest containing a relic of St Placidus, a 6th century artyr. Within the main Altar in the Chancel are the relics of the martyrs St Vital and St Victorinus.

In the Chancel you will see the Vine Mural, painted around 1900 by Lydia Lawrence of the Kyrle Society. The birds were added in 1967 by Anthony Baynes and T.L.B. Huskinson, as were the owl, bat and insects.

Testing a popup