Discussion St Peter’s Church pre-dates the surviving chapel of the nearby commandery, having initially been built in the mid-12th century. It is uncertain whether the Hospitallers built the church although they certainly gained possession at a later date. This first church appears to have been rectangular in plan with a small chancel attached at the east and two Romanesque windows in the north and south walls. The establishment of the commandery subsequently led to an increase in the local population as well as pilgrims visiting the church – as was the case at Slebech, Wales. This probably necessitated the extension of the chancel in the 13th century. The extended chancel closely resembles that of the Hospitaller chapels of Swingfield and Sutton-at-Hone, particularly the use of the three stepped lancets and an oculi in the east wall. However these features appear to be a 19th century restoration. The church also features a 14th century crown-post roof in common with the commandery chapel. A tower appears to have been built at the west in the 13th century and has a circular turret, which is characteristic of many Kentish churches. This is example is similar to Sutton-at-Hone parish church.
Sources: ICBS 07135. Church Plan: Swingfield, St. Peter (1870-71), Kent Whitley, Charles: d. 1909 of Dover (Architect) ICBS Minutes: Volume 19, pp 342, Volume 20, pp 26. Arnold, A. and Howard, R. 2011. Church of St. Peter, Swingfield, Kent: tree-ring analysis of timbers. Portsmouth: English Heritage. English Heritage. The National Heritage List for England. Retrieved from http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/ on 8th January 2013. Lambert, G. 1894. Swingfield and what little is known of it; together with a narrative of King John’s surrender of his country, crown and sceptre to the Pope Innocent III., May 15th 1213, etc. London: T. Brettal & Co. The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT). 2012. Church of St Peter, Swingfield, Kent. Church guide. London: The Churches Conservation Trust.