Church of St Mary, Swainswick

The Anglican Church of St Mary in Swainswick within the English county of Somerset dates from the 12th century. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]

Church of St Mary
Church of St Mary
St Mary's location in Somerset
51°24′51″N 2°21′05″W
LocationSwainswick, Somerset
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
ChurchmanshipCentral
Websitewww.swainswickchurch.org.uk
History
StatusActive
DedicationSt Mary the Virgin
Architecture
Functional statusParish church
Heritage designationGrade II*
Designated1 February 1956[1]
Years built12th century
Administration
DioceseDiocese of Bath and Wells
ProvinceProvince of Canterbury
Clergy
Curate(s)The Revd Joyce Williams

Vestiges of the original 12th-century building can still be seen around the doorway in the south wall. However, much of the fabric is from the 14th century, when the three stage square tower and porch were added. Various alterations were made over the centuries, and a major Victorian restoration, by Charles Edward Davis, included rebuilding of the chancel.[1][2]

The church contains monuments to the parents of William Prynne, the Puritan parliamentarian, who was born in the village in 1600.[3] There is a ledger slab of John Wood the Elder, architect of Georgian Bath.[4] The tomb probably contains the bodies of John Wood the Younger and his daughter.[5] In the nave is the Royal coat of arms of Charles I.[1]

The parish is part of the benefice of Swainswick with Woolley within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.[6]

References
  1. "Church of St Mary". Historic England. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  2. "History". St. Mary the Virgin, Swainswick, Bath. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  3. "Prynne, William" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
  4. Church of St Mary, Swainswick at Find a Grave
  5. Church of St Mary, Swainswick at Find a Grave
  6. "St Mary the Blessed Virgin, Swainswick". A Church Near You. Church of England. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
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