A last minute decision saw me visit three churches in the same benefice this week the first was ST Swithun Kennington a village just outside Oxford just beside the River Thames. There is very little history on the church but then the church was built in 1958 to replace the older one next door.
"The Church of England parish of St Swithun has two churches. The first is a very early example of the Norman revival, designed by the architect Daniel Robertson and built in 1828. The second was built alongside it in 1956-58, designed by a local architect, T. Lawrence Dale, and the vicar, Rev. S.S. Davies. The 1828 building is now deconsecrated"
I had thought the church was older but when I first saw the brickwork I could see it was quite new
Going around to the South side you passed the foundation stone which was laid in 1956 by the Bishop of Oxford
This is the South side with it's Transept. The north is similar though I did not go around the East end. There is also no churchyard with headstones to see.
The Main entrance door to the church which I found locked, that puzzled me as I had been told it was open, not to be deterred I went around to the side which was open
I came in through the arch over on the left and went around to the West end to get this photo in the church
The altar above with its cloth dressing it along with a vase of Lily's, The smell was very welcoming I can say
This is the South transept
The choir stalls at the East end
This has to be the highest pulpit I have come across
and gives a wonderful view of the whole church including the South transept
North one
and Choir stalls
Looking from beside the choir stalls towards the West
Over to the North
and South
The east end does not have an East window
The North wall of the West wing has paintings on it done by the local children
The organ in the West end
The huge carving of Christ which dominates the East wall
The font with this beautiful carving of a dove on the top
The font stands at the West end in front of folding doors
Right a teddy from the children's Crèche . Left the canopy with a crucifix which hangs over the altar
Christ hanging from the cross
A last look at the altar cloth and the floral display
As you walk to the church you pass the church which the new one replaced. It looks older that is is and considering how many chairs that were in the new church this would be bursting at the seams
I was fooled by how it looked but it was built in 1828
the old church is still in use as the Church Hall and has a stained glass East window but it was locked so no chance of looking inside
I will leave you with this view of the Old and New St Swithin's Church
Till next time I wish you all a wonderful week
15 comments:
The new church is a lot more homely inside than its rather austere exterior suggests; it's amazing how that red carpet lifts any church. Apparently it's made especially for churches in just two colours - red and blue - and apparently has no symbolic significance whatsoever, despite some of the things you can read online. I'm certain the congregation are a lot warmer in their new church; I know my mother used to migrate to a more modern church during the coldest winter months!
Great post.
Your right I nver thought it would look the way it did, as you said the outside is decieveing
Thank you
...Bill your first one is so unlike the churches that you generally feature. The second one is my favorite!
It's not as fancy as most of the churches you post, but some of the decorative items are excellent.
Yes this one is a little different but next week is back to what I normally show. I would have like to have gone in the old church to see the stained glass window but the place was locked. Can't win them all
No but the place out quite nice inside
Was interesting to see the churches side by side Bill. The high pulpit in the new church really does give an excellent overview, there will be no napping in that congregation 😉 The flowers and the children's paintings add a lovely touch ✨
I'm like you, I enjoy seeing the inside of churches not just the outside.
I do like the interior of the new church, and it's good that the parish is still making use of the old church.
Hi Billy, awesomely composed photographs, must say! You are a very careful observer indeed. It is a beautiful church with all the architectural detailing and those brick walls could tell anyone that the building was new. Have a great weekend to you too, and please do keep exploring the interiors, sharing your joys!Do check out some amazing photographs at http://www.bloghasting.com
I would like to have seen in the old one as well
I feel you have to see inside but sometimes it is not possible
I thought so as well sometimes they are sold off and made into dwellings
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