ST SWITHUN’S CHURCH

St Swithun’s Church is a Grade II* listed building. There has been a church on the site since the 11th century. In 1683, the tower was struck by lightning and set on fire. Whilst the bells melted, the body of the church remained intact. The tower was then rebuilt but due to poor construction it collapsed in 1785. The fall of the tower caused considerable damage to the church.

St Swithun’s Church was then rebuilt throughout the late 1700s and early 1800s, having been designed by James Wyatt, an eminent architect of the day, in the Perpendicular style.

Outside the south door of St Swithun’s Church, there are three stones which form a memorial to three Protestants: Anne Tree, Thomas Dunngate and John Forman, who were burnt at the stake on 18th July 1556. The three martyrs were executed because they refused to renounce their faith. Very little else is known about them.

Address:
St. Swithun’s Church
St. Swithun’s Close
East Grinstead
West Sussex
RH19 3BB

Arriving by car: We recommend using the Chequer Mead pay and display car park (postcode RH19 3AZ) which is just a two minute walk away. If you have access requirements, please let us know so we can arrange
parking for you at St Swithun’s Church.

Arriving by train: The nearest train station is East Grinstead. From the station, St Swithun’s Church is a 15 minute walk or a 5 minute taxi ride away. There is a taxi rank outside the station but you may prefer to book a taxi in advance:

• East Grinstead Taxis – 01342 720 004
• Sunny’s Taxi Service – 07481 107 832

Please arrive at St Swithun’s Church by twelve thirty in the afternoon.