St Margaret's Church, Topsham
| St Margaret's Church, Topsham | |
|---|---|
 St Margaret's Church from the River Exe | |
  St Margaret's Church, Topsham | |
| 50°40′58″N 3°27′56″W / 50.68283066181839°N 3.4655428214461206°W, | |
| OS grid reference | SX 96537 88029 |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Central churchmanship |
| Website | www.achurchnearyou.com/church/8641/ |
| History | |
| Status | Operational |
| Dedication | St Margaret of Antioch |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Architect(s) | Edward Ashworth |
| Style | Gothic and Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 14th & 19th century |
| Specifications | |
| Number of towers | 1 |
| Materials | Limestone and Heavitree stone |
| Administration | |
| Province | Canterbury |
| Diocese | Exeter |
| Archdeaconry | Exeter |
| Parish | Topsham |
| Clergy | |
| Vicar(s) | Revd Louise Grace |
St Margaret's Church in Topsham, Devon, is a parish church in the Church of England. It is a Grade II* listed building composed of a 14th century Gothic tower and a 19th century Gothic Revival main structure.[1]
Building
The Perpendicular Gothic tower was built in the 14th century from Heavitree stone, the lower part having required repair after damage in the English Civil War.[2][3] The main body of the church was rebuilt in the Gothic Revival style from limestone in 1874-6 by Edward Ashworth at a cost of £8,550.[1] The building is dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch.[4] A previous church dedicated to St James stood on the site since the 10th century.[5]
The church contains a distinctive Norman font, and the stained glass is Victorian and Edwardian, including work by Burlison and Grylls described by Nikolaus Pevsner as 'one of their best in Devon'.[1]
Memorials
There are two Greek Revival monuments of black and white marble by Sir Francis Chantrey, dedicated to Admiral Sir John Duckworth and his son Lt. Col. George Duckworth.[1]
There is a memorial stone to Thomas Randle, who served on HMS Victory with Lord Nelson.[4]
Current day
The church works in close partnership with the nearby church of St Luke's, Countess Wear.[6] The church hosts regular visiting musicians for recitals.[6] The church is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d "ST MARGARET'S CHURCH, Non Civil Parish - 1170373 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ "Heritage Gateway - Results". www.heritagegateway.org.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ hqt_admin (20 September 2023). "M St Margaret's Church Topsham". clarebryden.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ a b Graham-N-admin (30 November 2020). "The Quick Guide to Topsham's Churches". Love Topsham. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ "Topsham, St Margaret | Devon Historic Graffiti Survey". Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ a b "St Margaret's Church, Topsham". www.achurchnearyou.com. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ "THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIATICAL PARISH OF ST MARGARET, TOPSHAM - Charity 1128301". prd-ds-register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.