St Margaret of Antioch Church, Leigh Delamere facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Margaret of Antioch Church |
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| Location | Leigh Delamere, Wiltshire, England |
| Built | 1846 |
| Architect | James Thomson |
| Architectural style(s) | Gothic revival |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Church of St Margaret | |
| Designated | 20 December 1960 |
| Reference no. | 1022289 |
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St Margaret of Antioch Church is a historic church located in Leigh Delamere, a village in Wiltshire, England. It was built in 1846 on the same spot where a much older church from the 12th century once stood. The church is named after Margaret the Virgin, a Christian saint.
This church is very important because it is listed as a Grade II* listed building on the National Heritage List for England. This means it's a special building that needs to be protected due to its historical and architectural importance. Today, St Margaret's is a redundant church, which means it's no longer used for regular church services. Instead, it is looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust, an organization that saves old churches. The church officially became part of the Trust's care in December 1993.
Contents
The Church's History
Building a New Church in 1846
The original church on this site was built around 1190. It had a mix of Early English and Norman styles. By 1846, the old church was in very poor condition. It would have cost more money to fix it than to build a completely new one.
So, a wealthy person named Joseph Neeld decided to pay for a new church. He hired an architect named James Thomson to design it. Thomson also designed the grand Grittleton House nearby. When building the new church, Thomson reused some of the stone from the old 12th-century church. He even used the old bell tower to help build Sevington School.
Inside the Church
The church's design is in the Gothic Revival style, which was popular in the 1800s. The chancel, which is the area near the altar, has a beautiful reredos. This is a decorated screen behind the altar, and it's carved and painted with many bright colors.
The church also has a lovely stained glass window at the west end, created by an artist named Thomas Wilmshurst. Inside, you can find many memorials, including some dedicated to the Neeld Baronets, who were important local figures.
Modern Updates and Uses
Over the years, the church received some updates. A new organ was put in during 1896. In 1949, electricity was connected to the building. However, by this time, not many people were attending services.
The church was officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building in 1960. Later, in 1988, the lychgate (a covered gateway at the entrance to the churchyard) was also listed as a Grade II building. More recently, in the 21st century, a stone rood (a cross or crucifix) from the 15th century was found hidden under the pews. It was carefully restored and placed in the chancel.
In 2016, St Margaret's Church was used for a special event. It became a "pop-up" venue for opera, hosting a performance of the famous opera The Barber of Seville.
See also
