The church, dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin, is the focal point of the village, standing on the highest ground and can be seen clearly as one approaches the village from the west. The majority of the church dates back to mediaeval times, but the south door into the porch and the north door leading to the vestry are Norman.

 

St. Mary's has 6 full circle ring bells, please see further details elsewhere on this web site from  

 Rendham and Sweffling Society of Church Bellringers 

 

 

Sonnet written in Swefling Churchyard (1899)

There is a spirit in these ancient stones,

These grassy mounds and immemorial trees

That space seems conscious of the passing breeze,

So deep they brood above the sleeping bones

Of happy mortals eased of toilsome breath,

A Power not alien to this gentle vale,

Not alien to these quiet folk that fail

In no observance due to life or death,

The spirit and the power of lives that pass,

Their labours ended and their laughter fled,

To mingle with the dust their hand have tilles,

To take their rest beneath the silent grass

Their fathers planted and their sons shall tread,

The measure of man’s destiny fulfilled.

 

John Cowper Powys (1872 – 1963), whose brother Theodore (1875 - 1953)

lived at White House Farm, Sweffling circa 1898 - 1902