Swithun (or Swithin, Old English: Swīþhūn; died c. 862) was an Anglo-Saxon bishop of Winchester and subsequently patron saint of Winchester Cathedral. His historical importance as bishop is overshadowed by his reputation for posthumous miracle-working. Swithun's best known miracle was his restoration on a bridge of a basket of eggs that workmen had maliciously broken.
The Grade I listed parish church dates from the 11th century and is particularly noted for its 11th century "Rood" on the outside of the original west wall, now part of the vestry. What remains of the stone carving, which was vandalized at the time of the Reformation, depicts the crucified Christ, St Mary the virgin and St John.
The church sits on an island, surrounded by chalk streams, to the west of Worthy Lane. The graveyard to the south extends to School Lane. In 2012 an oak tree was planted in the churchyard to commemorate the Queen's diamond jubilee. A Friend of St Swithun's carried out a great deal of clearance and conservation work in the churchyard, the burial ground, the dell and the pathways to School Lane and London Road in 2012/2013 and maintains the grounds. The Worthy's Conservation Volunteers carried out extensive habitat conservation work in the 'scrub' area to the north of the churchyard in 2013.
A 3.5 acre parcel of land known as Chisslands has been owned by the church since time immemorial. This parcel of land is to be sold to the developer of the Barton Farm estate for a substantial sum which will provide the church with capital for church maintenance for many years to come.
There is a service every Sunday at 10:00 using a traditional form of worship according to the Book of Common Prayer.
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If anybody would like to expand this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first at churchmicro@gmail.com so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page found via the Bookmark list”