Saturday 11 April 2015

St Swithun Martyr Worthy



The next church along my walks was St Swithun in Martyr Worthy. The village sounds like one you would read about in an Agatha Christie book and I might add looks a bit like you would imagine it be as well. St Swithun dates back to the 12th century when the nave was built and the north & south doors are Norman. The church also belongs to  the Ichen Valley Churches 

 The first view you get of St Swithun as you come to it along the Ichen Way




Turning up along Church lane to the entrance













you might also notice this on the wall as you walk up the lane
  The church from the footpath leading to it







and looking along the North side from the lane











The church is another with a bellcote and no porch on but does have a nice Norman entrance doorway






 Another view of the East end showing the Apse Chancel


Inside we see a wonderful light and airy nave looking towards the chancel




And on the wall around the chancel arch you could see written the Ten Commandments 





a closer view of the writing on the wall. This is something I have never come across before like this











Here we look to the apse chancel



with the altar in the apse
 Round which are three windows

 The central window behind the altar depicting the Lamb of God







either side are ones showing saints Peter with the key to Heaven and St John with the chalice







 
turn round near the altar and you see a wonderful view along the nave, it's also worth a look at the differing ceilings on the roof.



looking at the back here you can see the wooden bellcote support and off to the right is the organ which you can see in the chancel








The pulpit is carved wood one on top a stone & marble pillared base







which if you look still has candles on. The font is stone but has to be one of the smallest I have seen yet









This is the view of the nave you get from the pulpit







In the nave you can see windows of a similar stile








But you have to go to the back of the church under the bellcote to see any reference to St Swithun the saint the church is named after.
There are quite a few memorials worth looking at around the church like these below


This coat of arms may be to do with the bishop of winchester








family memorials and ones to past rectors can also be seen










Interesting one this on AdmiralSir Thomas Pasley






A small roll of honour is to be seen also listing where they fell











William Collis Memorial


Looking down on the aisle you can see some old tombs and memorials






They are well worn but you can still read the inscription on them












Last view of the church ceiling




The church yard is not huge














but does have some tombs















and decorated crosses though this is the first head & foot stone I have seen like this















Very nice memorial to Commander Sir Miles James Rivett Carnac




This one is hard to read but tells you the ashes of Agnes Freshfield & her four sisters are scattered nearby





I like this fenced off family grave
















The angle is the grave of a child but I wonder who lies under number 79












  More family graves in the corner








and a couple of local war heros













Couple of family tombs







one which is becoming lost

The churchyard

Have a great weekend




8 comments:

  1. a lovely tour - much of interest - the writing on the wall us something I think I have seen once before.

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  2. sorry about the lost post last week. not sure what happened? great location. have a great weekend. take care. ( :

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  3. It's a beautiful church. I love the carved details on the pulpit.

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  4. Such a lot of history in this church. Love the memorials on the walls, and the graveyard looks very interesting too.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  5. How beautiful and as always you caught each and every detail. Just amazing Bill. Tom The Backroads Traveller

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  6. Lovely church, beautifully shown!

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  7. What a lovely little church. I really got a sense of a sacred, ancient building from your very informative post. Great photos. Fabulous! All the best, Bonny

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  8. What a wonderful old church and graveyard! Thanks for taking us there. I come across the name Swithin often in British mysteries. Glad to hear you're making a map. Great idea.

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