St Swithun's Church, East Grinstead facts for kids

St Swithun's Church

St. Swithun's Church is a very old and important building in East Grinstead, West Sussex, England. It's a church that belongs to the Church of England. This special building is officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's historically very important.

St. Swithun's Church: A Look Inside

The land where St. Swithun's stands has been home to a church since the 11th century. That's over 900 years ago! The church is built on a hill, which makes it easy to see from far away. In the past, many paths met near this spot. People started living in this area in the late 900s. They chose St Swithun, who was a bishop from 852 to 862, to be the church's special patron. Even today, the church is a clear landmark in the town.

A Long History

In 1772, the church was hit by lightning. This caused a lot of damage. After that, a famous architect named James Wyatt rebuilt it. The new church opened its doors in 1789.

Remembering the Past

Near the church entrance, there are three stones. These stones mark the spot where Anne Tree, Thomas Dunngate, and John Forman are believed to have died on July 18, 1556. They were punished because they would not change their Protestant beliefs. Over time, because of how they were treated and the charges against them, some local stories mistakenly called them "witches." However, they were actually remembered for their strong faith.

People Who Shaped the Church

From 1871 to 1908, a man named Douglas Yeoman Blakiston was the vicar, or priest, of the church. Before he became a vicar, he was an artist. You can still see two large oil paintings by him inside the church. He also painted portraits of people from the church on some of the organ pipes! His son, Herbert Blakiston, later became a very important person at the University of Oxford. He was the Vice-Chancellor, which is like the head of the university.

Keeping the Church Strong

Over the years, people have worked hard to keep St. Swithun's Church in good condition. In 1788, people across the country helped raise money for the church, collecting £516. In 1874, a big project to fix and improve the church gave it the look it has today. Later, in 1979, a special fund was started. This fund helps make sure there's always money to repair and restore the church when needed.