Church Of St Swithun

COMPTON BEAUCHAMP SU28NE 5/72 Church of St. Swithun. 21/11/66

GV II*

Church. Late C13, probably incorporating earlier structure. Chalk ashlar, except chalk and sarsen rubble to tower and sarsen base to nave, limestone quoins and dressings; all walling except quoins and part of tower whitewashed. Cruciform plan with porch and west tower. Early C14 reticulated style east window, one two-light late C13 window and one pointed lancet to each side wall of chancel. North transept has late C13 Y-tracery window and one window of intersecting tracery. South transept was rebuilt in c.1911, using much of the original stonework;two C20 windows and C20 door with 4-centered arch and moulded architrave, two-light early C16 windows with arched head. Each wall of nave has two-light late C13 windows, north wall has blocked late C13 door with 2-centered arch and section of walling between porch and tower has earlier masonry beneath the windows. Chancel and nave have gabled roofs. Tower built of sarsen rubble with decorative chalk bands, string course, and 2 two-light late C13 windows. Interior: Altar frontal, reredos and alter rail in chancel designed by Martin Travers c.1950; east window has some C14 glass depicting the Annunciation with also our Lady and Child by Travers; C13 piscina and simple stone bench sedilia; on either side of altar are memorial tablets to two infants, Margaret and Christian White (d.1627 and 1618) also a small C15 brass floor tablet to William Frampton, rector and memorials to Thomas Langley, rector, d.1703-31, and Benjamin Langley, d.1731-77. The vine murial around the chancel walls was painted c.1900 by Lydia Lawrence of the Kyrle Society; the birds, owl bat and insects were added in c.1967 and painted by Anthony Baynes and T.L.B. Huskinson. Screens for both transepts by Travers c.1947. East window of north transept has some C14 stained glass depicting the Crucificion. The south transept (rebuilt in c.1911) has a grille depicting Edward the Confessor by Travers, who also made the oak vesting chests and cupboards c.1950. Rood above chancel arch by Travers c.1933.Nave has C15 font with canopy by Travers, c.1933. Elaborate wall monuments to Rachel Richards (d.1737) and her daughter Ann (d.1771), who both lived at the Manor House, and also their housekeeper Mary Cooper (d.1762). 4-bay late-C19 arch-braced roof. Lady Chapel at west end by Travers, c.1934. (Buildings of England, Berkshire, p.121.)

Listing NGR: SU2792386919