The Site
Our parish includes the two communities of Wroughton and Wichelstowe, however our historic church building is located in Wroughton, just outside Swindon. The church is built in Ellendune, which is thought to be an ancient hill fort. Near this place in 825AD, at the battle of Ellendune, the Kings of Wessex took over dominance from the kings of Mercia; one of the most important battles in English history. There is evidence of a church building on this site since at least the 10th century AD.
The Building
The present church building contains a few features from the 12th century. However, it was extended in the 14th and 15thcenturies and major alterations were made in the 19th century. As a result much of what we see is from these periods. The building is a Grade 1 Listed Building.
The Church is dedicated to St John the Baptist and St Helen.
If you have time for a cup of tea then why not gab one and listen to Martina Lewis’ podcast, which covers 2,000 years of Christian history and the way national and international changes have affected our church here in Wroughton and Wichelstowe.
