St Mark's Church, Swindon

St Mark's Church in Swindon is a captivating destination for those interested in history, architecture, and the fascinating tales of the past. Nestled in central Swindon, Wiltshire, this active Anglican parish church is part of the benefice of Swindon New Town, alongside St Aldhelm, St Luke, and St Saviour. As a Grade II listed building recorded in the National Heritage List for England, St Mark's Church is a testament to the rich heritage of the area.

The History of St Mark's Church

St Mark's Church was built to serve the workers of the Great Western Railway, whose Swindon Works were located nearby. The funding for the church began with a bequest of £500 from George Henry Gibbs, head of the merchant bank Anthony Gibbs & Sons, who passed away in 1842. In February 1843, the railway company appealed for public contributions, and a total of £6,000 (equivalent to £750,000 in 2023) was raised to construct the church. Designed by George Gilbert Scott and William Moffatt, the church was built between 1843 and 1845 and was dedicated to St Mark on 25 April 1845, St Mark's Day. An addition of a north vestry was made in 1897 by Temple Moore.

Architectural Marvels

The church is an architectural gem, constructed in limestone with roofs of tiles and lead. Its plan consists of a five-bay nave with a clerestory, a north aisle, a south aisle with a three-bay chapel, a south porch, a three-bay chancel with a south chapel, a north vestry, and a north steeple opposite the porch. The church is designed in the Decorated Gothic style, characterized by intricate stonework and elegant proportions. The tower, in four stages, features a north door, angle buttresses, and two-light louvred bell openings. It is crowned by a crocketted spire with lucarnes, rising to an impressive height of 140 feet (43 meters). The west end of the nave boasts a doorway and a window with five lights containing curvilinear tracery, while the sides of the aisles are adorned with two-light windows with tracery in various styles. The chancel's east window has three lights, adding to the church's visual splendor.

Interior Splendor

Inside St Mark's Church, visitors are greeted by arcades carried on quatrefoil piers, creating a sense of grandeur and elegance. The nave features a hammerbeam roof, while the chancel boasts a barrel-vaulted roof. The stained glass windows, including works by Kempe, add a touch of color and artistry to the interior. The church's pipe organ, originally built in 1922 by Jardine of Manchester, was rebuilt in 1961 by Percy Daniel of Clevedon. After being destroyed by fire in 1973, it was replaced with a three-manual organ moved from a redundant church in the north of England. The church also houses a ring of eight bells, with six cast in 1904 by Llewellins and James and two in 1927 by Mears and Stainbank of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.

Musical Heritage

St Mark's Church has a long-standing tradition of performing choral music in the style of an English cathedral. The choir sings at the weekly Parish Mass and other services, with a repertoire of over 30 masses. The church's musical legacy includes the composition of Benjamin Britten's Festival Te Deum for the church's centenary, first performed on 24 April 1945.

Churchyard and Memorials

The churchyard of St Mark's Church contains several notable memorials and burials. Among them is the Gooch Tomb, a monument to Emma Brent Gooch (1872) and her husband William Frederick Gooch (1915), who was the youngest brother of Sir Daniel Gooch and became the manager of the GWR Works. Another significant memorial is the Armstrong monument, a polished pink granite obelisk dedicated to Joseph Armstrong, Superintendent of the GWR Works. Armstrong's funeral, held in the church on 9 June 1877, was attended by over 6,000 mourners. The churchyard also contains the ashes of Frederick William Hawksworth, the last Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Great Western Railway, who passed away in 1976.

In conclusion, St Mark's Church in Swindon is not just a place of worship but a symbol of the town's rich history and architectural beauty. Its walls echo stories of the past, from the workers of the Great Western Railway to the notable figures buried in its churchyard. A visit to St Mark's Church offers a glimpse into the vibrant history and cultural heritage of Swindon, making it an unmissable attraction for history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.