Details
SS30SW PYWORTHY CP VILLAGE CENTRE
13/60 Church of St Swithin
14.2.58
GV II*
Anglican parish church. Pre-Conquest foundation, early C14 alterations to chancel, north
and south aisles built with clerestorey, south aisle refenestrated C15 and tower added
c1400, north aisle refenestrated early C16, extensive restoration of 1885 including
reroofing, reseating, reflooring and many windows renewed by R. Medley Fulford of
Exeter. Random rubble local stone, Hatherleigh stone dressings, slate roofs, coped
verges, decorative ridge tiles. Three bay chancel, 4-bay nave with north and south
aisles and clerestorey, west tower, south porch. 4-stage tower with angle buttresses to
second stage, no parapet, small, plain pyramid finials, 2-light louvred bell openings,
clock, stairlight on south front, 2-light window above C19 trefoil-headed doorway
approached by external flight of stairs in south-east corner, no west door or west
window. Buttressed south aisle: C19 3-light windows west gable end and to west of
single storey porch, bevelled arched opening, barrel vault roof with enriched ribs
restored and dated 1885, pointed arch opening,also bevelled to south aisle with C19 door
with decorative ironwork; uncusped 3-light windows to left of porch, C19 3-light window
east gable end, south wall of chancel C19 priest's door beside remains of blocked window
opening, two C19 2-light windows, C19 4-light East window, slate tablet to Samuel
Parsons died 1791 with good lettering, north wall three 2-light windows, east gable end
of north aisle 3-light window, north wall three 3-light mullioned windows under square
hoodmoulds, pointed arch doorway between first and second bays west, C19 rose window
west gable end. Interior: rendered. Chancel arch chamfered in 2 orders and dying into
imposts, double chamfered pointed arch openings to arcades with octagonal piers,
clerestorey with depressed pointed arch openings, tower arch depressed pointed arch
openings. Rood stair depressed segmental opening with square-headed roof loft opening
above. Early C14 piscina and sedilia in chancel extensively restored in C19. Roofs:
chancel and nave C19 ceiled wagon roof with enriched beams and bosses, chancel roof
with angels on wallplate; open wagon roofs in aisles with remains of original enriched
beams and bosses. C19 fittings including internal porch. Norman octagonal granite font
on C19 base. The church was dedicated byBishop Grandisson of Exeter in 1334. (White's
Devonshire, 1878; Kelly's Directory, 1910; J.M.Slader, The Churches of Devon, 1968)
Listing NGR: SS3129202881
