St Swithun's Church, East Grinstead facts for kids

St Swithun's Church

St. Swithun's Church is a Church of England building located in East Grinstead, West Sussex, England. It is a very important historical building, recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a special place with a lot of history that needs to be protected.

A Look at St. Swithun's History

The spot where St. Swithun's Church stands has been home to a church since the 11th century. Imagine, that's over 900 years ago! The original church was hit by lightning in 1772. After this, a new church was built by an architect named James Wyatt. It officially opened its doors in 1789.

Why This Location is Special

The church is built on top of a hill near the entrance to East Grinstead. Long ago, many paths and roads met in this area. People started living here in the late 900s. They chose St Swithun, who was a bishop from 852 to 862, as the church's patron saint. Even today, the church is a clear landmark you can see from far away.

Remembering Important People

Near the church entrance, there are three stones. These stones remember Anne Tree, Thomas Dunngate, and John Forman. They were people who stood firm in their Protestant faith and lost their lives for their beliefs on July 18, 1556. They are an important part of the church's history.

People Who Shaped the Church

From 1871 to 1908, a vicar named Douglas Yeoman Blakiston led the church. Before he became a vicar, he was an artist! You can still see some of his work inside the church today. There are two large oil paintings he created. He also painted portraits of people from the church on some of the organ pipes. His son, Herbert Blakiston, later became a very important leader at the University of Oxford.

Keeping the Church Strong

In 1788, people from all over the country helped raise money for the church, collecting £516. Later, in 1874, the church went through a big restoration project. This gave it the look it has today. To make sure the church always has money for repairs and upkeep, a special Trust Fund was started in 1979. This fund helps keep St. Swithun's Church in good condition for everyone to enjoy.

External Links

• Official St. Swithun's Church website: http://swithun.co.uk/
• St. Swithun's Restoration Trust Fund website