Consider this: St Margaret’s Church stands as a testament to faith and community in North Oxford. Its story intertwines with the rapid growth of this area in Victorian times.
St Margaret’s Church began as a vision to ease overcrowding at SS Philip and James Church. The rapid expansion of North Oxford necessitated a larger place of worship. Thus, St Margaret’s Church was built between 1883 and 1893.
H. G. Drinkwater, also the architect of SS Philip and James School, designed St Margaret’s Church. The foundation stone was laid on May 8, 1883. An article in Jackson’s Oxford Journal reported the rapid progress of the new church. It described a church in the late decorated style, able to seat about 550 people. The church would consist of a chancel, nave, north and south aisles, organ chamber, and vestries.
Construction faced delays. In 1885, the same newspaper noted slow progress but highlighted the value of completed work. Two bays of the north aisle and a temporary vestry were added. Rev. S. R. Wigram generously provided stained glass for the east window. Mrs. Wigram and her family painted the glass.
In 1896, St Margaret’s Church achieved independence and its own parish. The war memorial outside lists men from this smaller parish. These men lived in streets like Bainton Road and Kingston Road.
Interestingly, St Margaret’s parish was once part of the Headington Registration District. Births, marriages, and deaths were recorded under Headington until 1932. This is because Summertown was historically part of the Manor of Headington.
A significant moment occurred in 1982 when St Margaret’s took over the parish of its former mother church, SS Philip and James, after its closure. In 1985, it united with St Giles.
Note the unfinished tower. Designed by G. F. Bodley, construction began in 1899 but stopped. It now serves as the south-west porch of St Margaret’s Church. The Lady Chapel features three windows by F. C. Eden. These windows depict the Nativity, Crucifixion, and Pentecost. Together they represent the Plan of Salvation.
Today, St Margaret’s Church stands as a Grade II listed building. Its war memorial, dedicated in 1920, is shaped like a calvary. This is a reminder of the sacrifices made by the parish during World War One. St Margaret’s continues to serve its community. It connects the past with the present. It’s a place where history and faith intertwine.