Towards the western end of Bridport lies the suburb of Allingnton, notable because of its proximity to what was the Gundry Rope Works, once the town's principal employer. The older houses, arranged mainly along the north/south road, were built to accommodate the artisans. The church of St Swithun, which is set dramatically back at the southern end of this narrow road, is an unexpected surprise.
The brilliant white rendered building is by any standard magnificent with an impressive portico supported on four Tuscan columns with a circular cupula above and described by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner as having "a delightful front." This is the work of Charles Wallis in 1826-7. Internally, the building is rectangular with a flat white ceiling. Nevertheless, on entry the eye is naturally drawn forward to the large and very striking crucifix that hangs above the central altar. Either side are chapel altars and, being a high church, facilities for reserving the sacrament. There is a gallery at the rear which stretches across the entire width of the building and supports the splendid organ.
The Trust gratefully acknowledges images and text by Robin Adeney ©
Ref | Title | Town | Postcode | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
St. Swithun | Bridport | DT6 5DU | 0 | |
St. Saviour | Dottery | DT6 3NN | 0 | |
St.Mary's Church | Bridport | DT6 3NN | 0 | |
Holy Trinity New | Bothenhampton | DT6 4BH | 1 | |
St. John the Baptist | Symondsbury | DT6 6HB | 1 | |
Old Church | Bothenhampton | DT6 4BP | 1 | |
St. Mary the Virgin | Walditch | DT6 4LB | 1 | |
Holy Trinity | Bradpole | DT6 3EP | 1 | |
St. John the Evangelist | West Bay | DT6 4EU | 2 | |
St. Mary Magdalene | Loders | DT6 3RZ | 2 | |
St. Paul | Broadoak | DT6 5PY | 2 | |
St. Giles | Chideock | DT6 6LE | 2 | |
St. Martin | Shipton Gorge | DT6 4LZ | 2 | |
Methodist | Uploders | DT6 4NS | 3 | |
Queen of Martyrs & St Ignatius' Church | Chideock | DT6 6LF | 3 | |
Holy Trinity | Salway Ash | DT6 5JE | 3 | |
Methodist Chapel | Bridport | DT6 4NT | 3 | |
St. Mary | Burton Bradstock | DT6 4QY | 3 | |
Christchurch | Melplash | DT6 3UD | 3 | |
St Gabriel | Stanton St. Gabriel | DT6 6EP | 4 |
DHCT C/o Porter Dodson, 53 High West Street, Dorchester DT1 1UX
282790