Listed Building record MDO15404 - Church of St Swithun, Gervis Road, Bournemouth

Church designed by R Norman Shaw and built in stages, the chancel dates to 1876-7, the nave to 1891-2. It has an uncompleted north tower and the aisles remain unbuilt.

St Swithan's Church, Gervis Road (North side SZ 0911) 1876-8 chancel, 1891 nave by R. Norman Shaw. Grade B. <2> 1876-8 chancel, 1891 nave, by R Norman Shaw. Coursed rubble with stone dressings. Nave is wide singal span, on foundations intended for aisles. Flanks have buttresses connected as blind arcades, double-chamfered, framing small 2-light windows high up; west front by contrast has vast 11-light window with Perpendicular tracery over lean-to narthex. Side door to south-east, with classical-type coved cornice, neatly linked to buttress. 4-bay chancel with traceried lancets between conventional buttresses, east wall, with 5-light Geometrical window, flush with buttresses. Lady Chapel with separate gable, attached to stbubby battlemented tower over organ chamber, vestries with flat parapet. War Memorial Cross 1921 by Paul Waterhouse. Interior plastered, pointed wagon roof with iron ties to nave. Side windows have sills connected as stringcourse. West end has segmental arch flanked by narrow pointed arches, ribs between being continuation to ground of principal mullions of west window; jambs of window also prolonged downwards and then joined to arches by extra 'sill'. Chancel arch moulded, on semi-circular columns, rood screen of iron. Chancel roof of arched and wind braces; 2-bay arcade to north chapel with octagonal columns. Timber panelling on south and matching parclose to north chapel with 2-light Decorated tracery under coved cornice. High altar reredos has stone triptych sculpture, Crucifixion in centre, over marble predella. Pulpit 1892, pink and black marble columns, pink marble inlaid arched panels. East window, chancel side windows and 2 in nave have glass by Burlison and Grylls, chapel east window and 1 in nave in Kempe style (by Bryans?). Reredos of Holy Trinity Church, stacked in nave late in 1973, is painted wooden triptych by Sir Arthur Blomfield and Sons, made by Powells, 1910. <2>

Record last edited

Mar 24 2022 2:21PM