Withern: St Margaret
Overview
Grid reference: TF 424 821
In its present state the church appears to be entirely of 1811 externally, with brick walls and simple tracery in the nave windows. The chancel is covered with stucco; where this has peeled away brick shows beneath, although some mediaeval walling might remain since the windows are evidently restorations of mediaeval pattern. The west wall of the nave is very wide, with the low-pitched gable embracing nave and aisles without a break.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave with three-bay arcades and narrow aisles, south porch and west bell-cote; chancel with south vestry and north organ chamber.
Description of Archaeology and History
The nave was rebuilt in 1811-12, the chancel was heavily restored in 1875. Nevertheless, three-bay Perpendicular arcades remain inside. The organ chamber was added in 1906.
Exterior Description
In its present state the church appears to be entirely of 1811 externally, with brick walls and simple tracery in the nave windows. The chancel is covered with stucco; where this has peeled away brick shows beneath, although some mediaeval walling might remain since the windows are evidently restorations of mediaeval pattern. The west wall of the nave is very wide, with the low-pitched gable embracing nave and aisles without a break. There are narrow buttresses near the north and south corners and also a pair with a later small window between in the centre of the wall. On the gable stands a small stone bell-cote with a single arch surmounted by a cross which contains a single bell; this also appears to be later than 1811.
The north and south nave walls are identical save for the doorway in the west bay of the south wall. Each of the other bays has a three-light window with intersecting tracery of the plainest kind, the bays separated by plain brick buttresses. The porch is also of brick with stone dressings which include two label stops carved as primitive heads which seem to survive from the earlier building. Marks in the brickwork suggest that there was originally a window here too and that entrance was probably by a doorway in the west wall, since the small west window seems also to be a later insertion. At the head of the nave walls are simple corbel tables of alternating projecting and recessed headers giving the effect of crude dentils.
The chancel appears to preserve its mediaeval form, although rendering makes it difficult to see whether mediaeval walls actually remain to any great extent. In the south wall is a three-light window with taller middle light and gently sloped hood-mould and in the angle with the nave is contrived a small vestry under a pent roof, probably of c.1811. The east wall has a three-light window with reticulated tracery all nineteenth century in date and a gable cross also of this period.
The north wall has a three-light window like that in the south wall and then an organ chamber added in 1906. This has a two-light window in the east wall and a single light in the north wall with a round-arched top and cusping, quite out of character. The roof slope virtually continues the gentle slope of the main chancel roof.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
c.1920
The east window shows The Light of the World flanked by St. George and St. Margaret.
Stained Glass
1811
All the nave windows have coloured glass panes, some with simple geometric designs, in the heads of the lights.
Interior
Interior Description
Although the exterior suggests a single-chamber nave, the three bay arcades remain within the building, dividing off aisles which are scarcely more than passages. The piers are octagonal with square bases and moulded octagonal caps, the arches of two chamfered orders. All the walls are plastered and whitewashed, as are the flat plaster roof in the nave and the sloping plaster ceilings in the aisles. At the west end stands a gallery reached by a steep timber stair in the south aisle and thence through a door in the respond of the arcade, while the chancel arch at the east end has been rebuilt, doubtless in 1811, in very mean fashion without a moulding or even a chamfer. The windows are glazed with clear glass interspersed with coloured glass in the tracery and the north aisle opens into the organ chamber through a stone arch. The floor is paved with pamments and the pews stand on timber platforms.
The chancel is divided from the nave by a low timber screen and is also plastered and whitewashed. The flat plaster ceiling seems to go with the nave rather than the given restoration date of 1874, especially since the top of the east window breaks into it. The east wall has panelling made up, presumably, from 1811 box pews, and the chancel and sactuary are paved in part with ledger slabs. A door opens to the south vestry and an arch to the north organ chamber. The east window contains the only figure subjects in stained glass in the building and the furnishings seem mostly of 1875.
Fixtures and fittings
Reredos
Early 19th Century
The reredos is made up of early nineteenth-century pannelling, possibly from box pews.
Pulpit
1875
The pulpit is of stained deal, an open hexagon in plan.
Lectern
1906
The lectern is a lively oak eagle on a stout pedestal.
Font (object)
The font is octagonal, Perpendicular, with designs of window tracery round the bowl and an octagonal moulded base.
Organ (object)
1906
A small two manual instrument with ten speaking stops and tracker action, by Thomas Jones of Upper Holloway.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TF 424 821
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.
It is unknown whether 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
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