Catholic Church of Our Lady Help of Christians — Swinford

Detached eight-bay double-height Catholic church, designed 1889; begun 1889; dedicated 1891, on a rectangular plan comprising seven-bay double-height nave opening into seven-bay single-storey lean-to side aisles centred on single-bay full-height chancel (north). "Improved", 1950, producing present composition. Renovated, ----, with sanctuary reordered. Pitched slate roofs; lean-to slate roofs (side aisles), perforated crested terracotta ridge tiles, lichen-covered cut-limestone "slated" coping to gables on "Cavetto"-detailed corbel kneelers including lichen-covered cut-limestone "slated" coping to gable to entrance (south) front on "Cavetto"-detailed corbel kneelers with tuck pointed drag edged dragged limestone ashlar buttressed gabled bellcote to apex framing embossed cast-iron bell ("----"), and cast-iron rainwater goods on cut-limestone "Cavetto" consoles retaining cast-iron downpipes. Part repointed tuck pointed coursed or snecked rock faced sandstone walls on dragged cut-limestone chamfered cushion course on plinth with drag edged tooled cut-sandstone stepped buttresses including drag edged tooled cut-sandstone clasping buttresses to corners having cut-limestone "slated" coping. Paired hexafoil window openings (clerestorey) with drag edged dragged cut-limestone surrounds having chamfered reveals framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass roundels. Paired lancet window openings (side aisles) with drag edged dragged cut-limestone block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass panels. Pointed-arch window opening (north) remodelled, 1950, with cut-limestone "Cyma Recta" or "Cyma Reversa" stringcourse, cut-limestone mullions, and cut-limestone block-and-start surround having chamfered reveals with hood moulding on monolithic label stops framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass panels. Lancet window openings ("cheeks") with drag edged dragged cut-limestone block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass panels. Pointed-arch door opening to entrance (south) front approached by flight of five steps, drag edged dragged cut-limestone block-and-start surround having chamfered rebated reveals with hood moulding on monolithic label stops framing timber boarded double doors. Lancet flanking window openings with drag edged dragged cut-limestone block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on square glazing bars. Lancet "Trinity Window" (gable) with cut-limestone "Cyma Recta" or "Cyma Reversa" stringcourse, drag edged dragged cut-limestone block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on square glazing bars. Interior including vestibule (south); square-headed door opening into nave with glazed timber panelled double doors having sidelights on panelled risers below overlight; full-height interior open into roof with pair of cut-veined white marble Classical-style wall monuments (1881; 1910), polished brass-detailed timber organ gallery (south) on bull nose-detailed timber posts supporting timber panelled pipe organ centred on stained glass "Trinity Window" (----), carpeted central aisle between cruciform-detailed timber pews, pointed-arch arcades on drag edged dragged limestone ashlar pillars on octagonal plinths, exposed pointed-arch braced scissor truss timber roof construction on dragged cut-limestone beaded "Cavetto" corbels with wind braced rafters to ceiling on "Cavetto" cornice, pointed-arch floating chancel arch on Corinthian colonettes on angel corbels framing mosaic tiled cut-veined white marble stepped dais to sanctuary (north) reordered, ----, with stepped "predella" supporting cut-veined white marble Gothic-style memorial altar (1914) below stained glass memorial "North Window" (1952), mosaic tiled cut-veined white marble stepped daises to side altars with Gothic-style memorial altars (1891) below stained glass memorial windows (----), and paired stations (1953) between stained glass memorial windows (1927-64). Set in landscaped grounds on an elevated corner site with cast-iron panelled piers to perimeter having trefoil-detailed gabled capping supporting cast-iron double gates.