St Margaret’s Church

The present church building is probably the fourth to be erected on this site. A church is first mentioned when Thomas Bratoft was given the living in 1281 following the death of Alexander Algarkirk with further references in 1337, 1360 and 1375, John De Grettewell is listed as rector in 1377. When Bishop William Atwood and his commissioners visited the deaneries in 1517 and 1520 the report in St. Margaret’s lists the chancel as being in a poor state and the rectory derelict. The church seems to have recovered from this period of decay in 1560 under the rule of Elizabeth I and an inventory made of all artifice used by the “Roman church”. These were later destroyed by burning and breaking up before the parishioners in 1562.

In 1840 George Thackeray, cousin to the novelist William Makepeace Thackeray, took the living of St. Margaret’s and rebuilding the rectory. The family grave can still be found in the churchyard. The church was rebuilt in its present form in 1895/6 and the tower repaired by the Rev Isaacs and his parishioners in 1937.

Photograph of the South window, taken for the Open Churches Festival. You can find more images on the gallery page.

SECRETARY – Alison Fairchild – 01507 578539