St Paul's Church, Swanley
Village
Information from the website
for St. Peters Church, Hextable and St. Paul's Church, Swanley
Village. Nestling amid the trees at the foot of Gilden Hill, this
church has the appearance of an ancient Church though actually it
dates from 1861. It was designed by Ewen Christian, the well known
Victorian architect, and it is easily one of his most
inspired.
Fortunately the first Vicar, the Rev. M. S. Edgell, set to work to
transform it into a beautiful Church. He replaced the cheap choir
stalls, reredos, etc. by well designed and well proportioned ones.
His brother-in-law, Mr. John Eastwood, improved the exterior by
adding the picturesque tower, another brother-in-law, Mr. William
Eastwood, had the interior decorated richly but quietly, using
symbols to express the Christian faith. The chancel arch bears the
emblems of Christ's Passion, thus performing the work of a rood
screen. The chancel roof is painted with Christ being worshipped in
Heaven, and mosaics between the sanctuary windows symbolize the
worship of Christ on earth. The other furnishings, particularly the
pulpit, have just the right proportions for the Church, indicating
the thought and attention lavished on the Church. As a consequence
St.Paul's Church has always evoked a deep love from the
parishioners.
On 29th October 1861, Dr. Bird Sumner, Archbishop of Canterbury,
dedicated St. Paul's Church, Swanley, and it was claimed he had
dedicated more Churches than any of his predecessors. Before that
date Swanley people had to walk to Sutton-at-Hone to worship in
their parish Church.
In 1890 Mr. William Eastwood died and his widow gave a fine organ
as a memorial to him and their daughter gave a second vestry as the
organ occupied a large part of the original vestry. Since then
parishioners have endeavoured to make St. Paul's a Church which
invites people to worship and feel that they are in a House of
God.
This cache is part of an extension to Sadexploration’s
immensely far–reaching Church Micro series. Hopefully, it will
attain the high standard already set and bring some Geo-life back
to this part of Kent.
The coordinates will take to the cache and
parking.
Permission has been obtained where possible.
The cache has a log
book but no pen so please bring one with you
If anyone would like
to expand to this series, please do. I would just ask that you let
Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church
numbers and names to avoid duplication