Hales: St Margaret
Overview
Grid reference: TM 383 961
Built of stone rubble, with thatched roofs, most of the architectural interest of the building is centred on the exterior. The round western tower has Decorated bell-openings and a parapet of chequer work, of alternate stone and flint panels, added later. In the north wall of the nave is an exceptionally fine Norman doorway. The capitals of the shafts are ornamented with foliage, and with star and cable motifs, etc. and the ornamentation is continued over on to the walls abutting the shafts on either side. The several orders are ornamented with a perplexing variety of motifs, including zig-zag, chip carved and bobbins: the hood mould carries a series of seventeen raised roundels with eight spokes radiating from the centre.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, chanbel terminating in an apse and west tower.
Description of Archaeology and History
Early 12th century and, apart from the insertion of some windows in the 13th and 14th centuries, the church has remained virtually unaltered. A restoration took place in c. 1896.
Exterior Description
Built of stone rubble, with thatched roofs, most of the architectural interest of the building is centred on the exterior. The round western tower has Decorated bell-openings and a parapet of chequer work, of alternate stone and flint panels, added later. In the north wall of the nave is an exceptionally fine Norman doorway. The capitals of the shafts are ornamented with foliage, and with star and cable motifs, etc. and the ornamentation is continued over on to the walls abutting the shafts on either side. The several orders are ornamented with a perplexing variety of motifs, including zig-zag, chip carved and bobbins: the hood mould carries a series of seventeen raised roundels with eight spokes radiating from the centre. The south doorway, of similar date, is less elaborate in its display of carved decoration. In the south wall of the nave is a small blocked Norman window with shafts and roll-moulding: the other windows on both north and south sides of the nave are later insertions. The chancel is approximately two-thirds of the length of the nave and the wall surface, which curves round at the east end to form an apse, is articulated by an alteration of buttresses and either windows or blank arcading: it appears that the windows are later and that the arcading was originally complete in every bay except the east which probably contained a small round-headed window. The existing east window is disproportionately large, and has simple Y—tracery.
Building Materials
Stone
Rubble
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is plastered and the walls and chancel vault coluur—washed cream. On the south wall of the nave is the upper part of a painting of St. Christopher, c.1400, and in the jamb of the south-east nave window is a better preserved painting of St. James the Great dating from the 14th century. Above the latter is a painted foliage trail of the late 13th century.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (object)
Medieval
Octagonal with carved decoration to the bowl and stem. Against the stem are four lions and against the bowl on alternate faces are four demi-figures of angels and flowers.
Font (component)
Jacobean
Cover
Screen
Six panels of the dado of a painted screen stand at the west end on the south side.
Altar
17th Century
With turned legs
Organ (component)
1815
Case
Churchyard
Grid reference: TM 383 961
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Submit a change
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