St Nicholas, Swaby

This Parish has not as yet registered with the Parish Giving Scheme and as such unfortunately you are not yet able to set up a direct debit or make a one-off gift to this Parish. If you would like to in the future, please 'Register your interest' and we will convey your interest onto the Parish.

The Church of St Nicholas in Swaby is a member of the Legbourne Woldmarsh group of churches - 'bringing the good news of the Kingdom of God'

We seek to be open daily, 10am-4pm. There may be times when this is not possible and for this we do apologise and thank you for your understanding 

May your coming to this place warm your heart and cheer you

If you are a believer, pray

If you are searching, reflect

If you have doubts, ask for light

If you are suffering, ask for strength

If you are tired, rest

If you are full of joy, give thanks

May you find here the power of God to strengthen you and the peace of God to enfold you 

A short History of the church of St Nicholas and the village of Swaby 

The name of the village of Swaby, located in East Lindsey Lincolnshire, is thought to have originated from a place name meaning farmstead or village of a man called Svan derived from the old Norse personal name of Svafi, combined with the old Norse word byr meaning farmstead or village.

The name Swaby appears in the doomsday book of 1086 ce which lists the village as Suabi. It was recorded as consisting of 21 households, 20 acres of meadow, 600 acres of woodland and two mills.

The Anglican register dates from 1660 ce. Swaby's oldest church dedicated to St Margaret is nolonger extant. It was demolished by order of Sir Henry Vane of Belleau around 1658 ce.

The present church, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, replaced a previous one described as "small and sordid" and is the third on the present site. It was built in 1827 at a cost of five hundred pounds.

The church possesses a small polygonal chancel and gothic style windows, the glass of which were originally covered in transfers but as this reduced the light they were quickly removed.

The oak pews were installed in 1900 to replace the original box pews and benches. The carving at the end of the present pews and the pulpit were carved by the then rector, Edwin Roberts.

The organ was brought from Haugh Manor to replace the use of violins and clarinets.

Extensive repairs and improvements were completed between 1964 and 1970. The east window was converted to one sheet of clear glass and the sanctuary enlarged to accommodate the communion rail which came from the closed Wesleyan chapel in the neighbouring village of White Pit.

On the 9th March 1967 the church of St Nicholas was listed as a grade II monument with the monument record ML142420