Church of St Mary, Swainswick

Church of St Mary
Church of St Mary St Mary's location in Somerset
51°24′51″N2°21′05″W / 51.41417°N 2.35139°W / 51.41417; -2.35139
Location	Swainswick, Somerset
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Central
Website	www.swainswickchurch.org.uk
History
Status	Active
Dedication	St Mary the Virgin
Architecture
Functional status	Parish church
Heritage designation	Grade II*
Designated	1 February 1956 [1]
Years built	12th century
Administration
Province	Province of Canterbury
Diocese	Diocese of Bath and Wells
Clergy
Rector	Reverend Rob Densmore

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]

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] 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. ^[5]

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. "History". Swainswick Church. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
5. "St Mary the Blessed Virgin, Swainswick". A Church Near You. Church of England. Retrieved 30 October 2015.

External links

• St. Mary the Virgin, Swainswick, Bath
• St. Mary the Blessed Virgin Churchyard at Find a Grave