St Margaret's Church, Topsham

St Margaret's Church, Topsham
St Margaret's Church from the River Exe
St Margaret's Church, Topsham
50.68283066181839°N 3.4655428214461206°W / 50.68283066181839; -3.4655428214461206,
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

1. "ST MARGARET'S CHURCH, Non Civil Parish - 1170373 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
2. "Heritage Gateway - Results". www.heritagegateway.org.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
3. hqt_admin (20 September 2023). "M St Margaret's Church Topsham". clarebryden.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
4. Graham-N-admin (30 November 2020). "The Quick Guide to Topsham's Churches". Love Topsham. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
5. "Topsham, St Margaret | Devon Historic Graffiti Survey". Retrieved 9 February 2025.
6. "St Margaret's Church, Topsham". www.achurchnearyou.com. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
7. "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.

External links

• St Margaret's Church, Topsham website