st swithun,compton beauchamp

OXFORD DIOCESE PILGRIM PROJECT

As a result, the Victorian pulpit and altar rails

were removed. New Altar rails were placed at

the Chancel step, and a 20th century Rood,

with attendant figures, was placed on the Tym-

panum above the Chancel Arch. The impression

of richness and colour is a result of the work

carried out during this period. Give thanks for

those who have creative and artistic gifts, and

the vision to use them to enhance worship.

In the nave, you will see that the 15th century

font has a canopy designed by Travers in 1933.

Think for a moment of all those who have been

baptised in this font. Pray for growth in our

churches.

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. Pause for a moment and

consider those who have been an important

influence in your life, who are no longer with us.

Give thanks as you remember them.

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 martyr. Within the main

Altar in the Chancel are the relics of the martyrs

St Vital and St Victorinus. Pray for those who suf-

fer for their faith across the world today.

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.

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. Give thanks for the

glory of God’s creation. Pray that we will be

good stewards.

The Altar Frontal and Reredos were designed

by Travers. The East window and the windows

either side are 14th century and contain frag-

ments of mediaeval glass. In the left wall of the

Chancel arch you can see traces of a staircase to

the pre-Reformation Rood loft.

\In the north Transept you will find the 14th

century chapel of Jesus the Good Shepherd.

The large painting of the Great Shepherd is by

Noel Paton RSA (1821-1901) and was hung in

1952. On the Altar is a relief of the Holy Trinity

by Ulrica Lloyd, carved on a marble paving

stone in 1949 from an excavated Sumerian

Temple at Eridu, near Ur of the Chaldees, pres-

ent day Iraq. The Altar contains nine relics of

St Vincent, Martyr. The relics represent a link

with the Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham,

and were given to St Swithun’s by Walsing-

ham. Samuel Gurney was one of the original

Guardians of Walsingham, which became an

increasingly important place of pilgrimage for

Anglo-Catholics in the 20th century. Pray for

all those who go on Christian pilgrimage today,

both near and far from home. Pray for a ‘pilgrim

heart’ in your own Christian journey.

PILGRIMAGE PRAYER

Pilgrim God, You are our origin and our destination. Travel with us, we pray, in every pilgrimage of faith,and every journey of the heart.Give us the courage to set off,the nourishment we need to travel well,and the welcome we long for at our journey’s end.So may we grow in grace and love for youand in the service of others.through Jesus Christ our Lord,Amen

John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford

You might also like to visit other nearby churches in the Pilgrim Project:

St Mary the Virgin, SpeenMedieval pilgrimage to the lady well

St Michael’s, Stanton HarcourtShrine of St Edburg

St Margaret of Antioch, BinseyAlice in Wonderland’s treacle well

OXFORD DIOCESE PILGRIM PROJECT

Oxford Diocese Pilgrim Project:St Swithun,

Compton BeauchampSN6 8NP

Website: www.achurchnearyou.com/

compton-beauchamp-st-swithun

Illustrations by Brian Hall © Diocese of Oxford