St Margaret's, Westminster

The Anglican church of St. Margaret, Westminster Abbey is situated in the grounds of Westminster Abbey on Parliament Square, and is the parish church^[1] of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom in London. It is dedicated to Margaret of Antioch.^[2]

History and description

Originally founded in the 12th century by Benedictine monks, so that local people who lived in the area around the Abbey^[3] could worship separately at their own simpler parish church, and historically part of the hundred of Ossulstone in the county of Middlesex,^[4] St Margaret's was rebuilt from 1486 to 1523. It became the parish church of the Palace of Westminster in 1614, when the Puritans of the 17th century, unhappy with the highly liturgical Abbey, chose to hold Parliamentary services in the more "suitable" St Margaret's:^[5] a practice that has continued since that time.

The Rector of St. Margaret's is a canon of Westminster Abbey.

The north-west tower was rebuilt by John James from 1734 to 1738; at the same time, the whole structure was encased in Portland stone. Both the eastern and the western porch were added later by J. L. Pearson. The church's interior was greatly restored and altered to its current appearance by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1877,^[6] although many of the Tudor features were retained.

Commemorative windows and notable burials

Notable features include the east window of 1509 of Flemish stained glass, created to commemorate the betrothal of Catherine of Aragon to Henry VIII.^[7] Other windows commemorate William Caxton, Britain's first printer, who was buried at the church in 1491, Sir Walter Raleigh, executed in Old Palace Yard^[8] and then also buried in the church in 1618, the poet John Milton, a parishioner of the church, and Admiral Robert Blake. The collector Henry Constantine Jennings is also buried there.^[9]

Other notable burials include those of William Murray, 2nd Earl of Tullibardine, 30 July 1627; Edward Grimeston, 14 December 1640; and Wenceslas Hollar, died 25 March 1677. Also Bishop Nicholas Clagett.

Following the Restoration of the Monarchy, in 1661 the Parliamentarians who had been buried in Westminster Abbey (Admiral Robert Blake, Denis Bond, Nicholas Boscawen, Mary Bradshaw, Sir William Constable, Admiral Richard Deane, Isaac Dorislaus, Anne Fleetwood, Thomas Hesilrige, Humphrey Mackworth, Stephen Marshall, Thomas May, John Meldrum, Admiral Edward Popham, John Pym, Humphrey Salwey, William Strong, William Stroud and William Twiss) were disinterred from the Abbey and reburied in an unmarked pit in St Margaret's churchyard on the orders of King Charles II. A memorial to them can now be found set into the external wall to the left of the main west entrance.^[10]

Weddings

The church has been a common venue for "society" weddings, including those of Samuel Pepys^[11] and former prime ministers Sir Winston Churchill^[12] and members of the Bright Young People.^[13] and Harold Macmillan.^[14]

The ensemble of St. Margaret's, the Palace of Westminster, and Westminster Abbey is a World Heritage Site. Members of Parliament and Staff members of the House of Lords & House of Commons are permitted to marry in the church.

Other notable events

During the First World War, Dr Littleton, headmaster of Eton, gave a sermon at the church on the theme of "Loving your enemies". He spoke of his opinion that any post-war treaty should be a just one and not a vindictive one. He had to leave the church after the service by a back door, while a number of demonstrators sang "Rule Britannia" in protest at his attitude.^[15]

The Choristers of Saint Margaret's

To sing on the regular services and some very special services are the choristers. They are made up of 20 boys aged 9-13, who sing the soprano part, and many adults who sing the other parts. Recent special services involve a Classic FM concert in Westminster Central Hall, alongside Parliament Choir. The concert was broadcasted on the 24th December 2011 at 18:00. The choristers are paid a good deal for what they do.

Organ

The organ is largely built by J. W. Walker & Sons Ltd. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.

Organists

Organists who have played at St Margaret's include:

Gallery

References

External links

• Guide to St. Margaret's
• Memorials of St. Margaret's church, Westminster, comprising the parish registers, 1539-1660, and other churchwardens' accounts, 1460-1603
• Deanery of Westminster (St Margaret)