St Andrew’s North Swindon – Blunsdon to be precise – isn’t a church I’m familiar with myself. But a Twitter chum, Lee, suggested I include it in Swindon in 50 More Buildings because it’s a delightful church, really rather old (13th C approx) and little known. So here it is. And thanks to Lee for the photos.
About the church
The church website tells us that ‘St Andrew’s is a small structure, built in the Early English style.’ It further explains that a church has stood on that site since the 11th century. And further that it used to be much larger than it is now. It seems that, when the Victorians carried out some renovations, they found evidence of a large porch, tower and an extra aisle.
The carved stone heads (corbel stones) of nuns and a bishop, sitting high on the walls in St Andrew’s church date from the 1280s. It’s probable they supported the roof beams of an even earlier structure.
The website goes on to say that much of what we see today results from major restoration work by church architect William Butterfield, between 1864 and 1868. He designed the west front with its bellcote, spirelet and weathercock. And specifications for some of the windows. Yet some older features remain. For instance, the doorway used to enter the church dates from the 13th century.
Stained glass windows
It seems that the church features some quite splendid stained glass windows that depict Christ the Good Shepherd and the four seasons. They’re the work of prominent 20th century Scottish stained glass window designer, Douglas Strachan. I don’t have a photo of them but there’s more on them here: https://www.nschurch.org.uk/about-us/stained-glass/
