St Peter & St Paul

St Peter & St Paul's church has watched over the heart of Swalcliffe village for around 1000 years. It is a Grade I Listed building of high significance, architecturally and historically important because it bears evidence of development from Saxon times to the 21st century. The parish, created around 950AD from a former Saxon royal manor, originally comprised Swalcliffe, Lower Lea, Shutford, Epwell and the Sibfords, with Swalcliffe serving as the mother church. Two Saxon windows in the nave are a remarkable survival of that first church, preserved when the Norman north arcade and Transitional south arcade were built. The mid 13th century south aisle, late 13th century chancel, mid 14th century updated north aisle, and 15th century clerestory and upper tower are fine examples of rural church architecture of their periods. Three stunning medieval wall paintings can be seen in the south and north aisles. Such survivals are very rare, and those in Swalcliffe are of extremely high quality. In the south aisle are scenes of St Michael Weighing Souls, and the legend of the Three Living and the Three Dead, both dating to around 1375-1400. The north aisle bears traces of seven successive painting schemes, from the 14th century to the 18th century.

The building reached its present form in the mid 15th century; most later work concerned repairs, or alterations to meet changing forms of worship. During major restoration in 1854-1874, Gothic Revival architect R.C Hussey restored the chancel and the church was completely reglazed with windows by Ward & Nixon and Ward & Hughes. The reredos arcading and mosaic, by EH Lingen Barker, was bequeathed by Rev Edward Payne in 1887. The organ, by Wordsworth of Leeds, was installed by Revd JT Wilkinson in 1893. Toilet and kitchenette facilities were added in 2015.

The most pleasing aspect of Swalcliffe church is that, despite many centuries of extensions and updates, it presents a remarkably harmonious whole. Different stylistic elements knit together to form a beautiful, peaceful space for worship, celebration, remembrance and community, much loved by local residents and visitors from all over the world.