Leonard Stanley Parish Church



St. Swithun's Church Photos by John Wilkes
of Cam near Dursley, Gloucestershire
The Gloucestershire Photo Library:

St. Swithun's was the church of an Augustinian priory, founded by Roger Berkeley circa 1131.Ê This priory became Benedictine after being granted as a cell to Gloucester in 1146. It has a wide aisleless nave and crossing and an exceptionally massive central tower, transepts and chancel. The embattled upper stage of the tower is a 13th C addition. Within the church there are Norman columns embedded into the chancel walls for a former vault. The central shafts have carved capitals Ð one notably depicting Mary Magdalene wiping Christ's feet., his hand raised in blessing. The nave has a 14th C wagon roof. The font inside the church is an early 18th C chalice-shaped font; whilst outside the North porch is a carved Italian well-head.. The stained glass window illustrated on this montage is on the North side of the nave and is by Edward Payne, 1984. The Late Norman North doorway has two chevroned orders.

Page composition by
Allan Taylor Vancouver, Canada
http://www.allthecotswolds.com
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