Church of St. Margaret, Westminster
| Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and Saint Margaret's Church* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
 |
|
| State Party | 
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iv |
| Reference | 426 |
| Region† | Europe and North America |
| Inscription History | |
| Inscription | 1987 (11th Session) |
|
* Name as
inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO. |
|
Ordnance Survey Grid ReferenceTQ302796
The Anglican church of St Margaret, Westminster, historically part of the
hundred of Ossulstone in the county of Middlesex[1],is situated in the grounds of Westminster
Abbey on
Originally founded in the 12th century by Benedictine monks, so that local people who lived in the area around the Abbey[4] could worship separately at their own simpler parish church ,
it was rebuilt from 1486 to 1523. It became the parish of the Palace of
Westminster in 1614, when the Puritans of the 17th century, unhappy with the highly
liturgical Abbey, chose to hold Parliamentary services in the more 'suitable' St Margaret's[5], a practice that has since continued.
The north-west tower was rebuilt by John James from 1734 to 1738, as well as the whole
structure being encased in Portland stone. Both eastern and western porches were added
later by J L Pearson. The church's interior was greatly restored and altered
to its current appearance by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1877[6], though many of the Tudor
features have remained.
Notable features include the eastern window of 1509 of Flemish stained glass, created to remember the betrothal of Catherine of
Aragon to Prince Arthur[7], elder brother of Henry VIII. Other windows
commemorate William Caxton, Britain's first printer, who was buried at the church in
1491, Sir Walter Raleigh, executed in Old Palace Yard[8] and then also buried in the church in 1618, and the poet John Milton, a parishioner of the church. The collector Henry
Constantine Jennings is also buried there[9] .
The church has been a common venue for 'society' weddings, including those of Samuel
Pepys[10] and Sir Winston Churchill[11]. The
ensemble of St Margaret's, the Palace of Westminster, and Westminster Abbey is a World Heritage Site.
Gallery
 Explanatory plaque |
 St Margaret's Church. To the left is St. Stephen's Tower at the Palace of Westminster; to the right the Abbey. |
 St Margaret's, seen from the London Eye observation wheel |
 The nave of St Margaret's. |
External links
References
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