St. Swithun’s church is located in the grounds of what used to be Yateley Hall which was owned by the Sisters of Christian Education. Land was sold to the diocese on which St. Swithun’s was built 1968/9.
The back wall of the Sanctuary was re-ordered in February 1999. The low wall was built up to enable the back chapel to be converted into a Sacristy.
A new lighting scheme was installed in July 1999 replacing 1960s fluorescents with up lighters. The Stations of the Cross were moved to surrounding walls and individually lit.
Outside the church appears to be rather tucked away but as you have seen it is very big. It can seat 500 people. Community use is made of this for ecumenical gatherings like the annual Remembrance Sunday service. In May 2000 we hosted a Millennium performance of Hopes and Dreams, a thought provoking religious musical.
There are three cast iron statures in the grounds which used to stand in the old LSU College (now New College) Southampton.
The sisters were asked by Southampton University to remove all Christian signs. They were given to the parish and it is good they still remain in the Diocese.
