Welcome

St Mary’s Swainswick

open hearts, open minds, open doors

Hello! We’re a small, inclusive Christian community (around 10 most Sundays) who meet at St Mary’s Church in Swainswick. Hospitality is our watchword and we love welcoming walkers, visitors and pilgrims. Drop in any time to pray or look around however muddy your boots. There are tables and chairs in the churchyard and you can help yourself to tea or coffee in church.

We’re part of a group of churches with St Saviour’s Larkhall and All Saints Woolley and the vicar of all three is the Rev. Cath Candish. As well as regular and special church services, there are baptisms, weddings and funerals in the church.

Whether you’re coming for a service, enjoying a pint at the pub, saying a prayer or taking a break in the middle of a walk, you are very welcome. For more information get in touch.

Peace and Pilgrimage

The church is a place of peace and pilgrimage. Each month a small group meets for Sitting in Peace – half an hour of quiet and meditation. We’re just off two national pilgrimage routes and have developed some local walks and pilgrimages ourselves. As part of the British Pilgrimage Trust Sanctuary Network we offer basic overnight accommodation to pilgrims.

Pub Swainswick and Community events

We’re well known for the monthly Pub Swainswick (first Friday of the month) which serves excellent Abbey Ales. Bellringers practice every Thursday and there are plenty of other community happenings throughout the year, including an annual Apple Day and Harvest Beer Festival.

History

The church of St Mary the Virgin in Swainswick has been here since the 12th century and we have researched the history of the church and the parish. The church is the final resting place of the 18th century architects John Wood and his son, who designed much of Georgian Bath, including the Royal Crescent, the Circus and All Saints Woolley, our sister church across the valley. Walk the John Wood Countryside Trail and find out why he is buried in Swainswick.

If you are researching your family history, most of Swainswick’s records are held by South West Heritage who have a searchable archive. Burial records and plans of the churchyard are available from Bath Record Office

You can also find us on the National Churches’ Trust website.

All Saints Woolley

Designed by John Wood the Younger, the tiny church of All Saints in Woolley is an 18th century gem. It was built on the site of an earlier chapel in 1761 and paid for by Mrs Elizabeth Parkin, the owner of the nearby gunpowder factory. The church is open during the day and there is a footpath across the valley from Swainswick. As well as the churchyard, where Admiral Puget is buried, there is a lovely church garden to sit in. Occasional Services are held here to celebrate Christmas, Easter and other high days and holidays.

The church is the only communal space in the village and is used for occasional concerts and other events.It’s looked after by villagers and the Friends of Woolley Church. Woolley is one of only 14 Doubly Thankful Villages Britain – so named because all 13 young men who were sent to the First World War and 13 in the second returned home. There are plaques giving thanks in the church and a memorial in the garden.

Thank you

Thank you to everyone who gives their time, talents and money to maintain Swainswick church and its ministry. If you would like to make a donation, click on the button below. Donations will be held in the Swainswick Church Fabric Fund which helps to maintain the church building and churchyard both now and into the future.

Safeguarding

If you have a concern about a vulnerable child, young person or adult, please contact our Safeguarding lead Helen Roberts 07752 464857 If Helen is not available, contact the church warden, Susanna Watson.