Listen closely. Can you hear the echoes of history whispering from the stones of St Margarets Church?
St Margarets Church stands proudly beside Westminster Abbey. It is often called the church on Parliament Square. Some call it the parish church of the House of Commons. For centuries St Margarets Church has been a place of worship and a witness to pivotal moments in British history.
Founded in the 12th century by Benedictine monks St Margarets Church was intended as a simpler place for locals to worship. The monks of Westminster Abbey wanted a place of their own. They were constantly disturbed by locals who came to Westminster to hear Mass. The church is dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch.
The original Romanesque church stood until the 14th century. By the late 15th century it was in ruins. King Henry VII ordered its rebuilding between 1486 and 1523. St Margarets Church has been called the last church in London decorated in the Catholic tradition before the Reformation.
After the Dissolution of the Monasteries Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset planned to demolish St Margarets Church. He wanted materials for Somerset House. Armed parishioners bravely resisted this plan.
Over the years St Margarets Church has seen many changes. Elements have been rebuilt added and removed. Visitors travel from around the world to admire its commemorative windows. The east window is especially notable. It was installed in 1509 to commemorate the wedding of Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon.
St Margarets Church has a strong connection to early abolitionists. Olaudah Equiano was baptised here in 1759. Many prominent Britons have been married at St Margarets Church. These include Samuel Pepys John Milton Winston Churchill Harold Macmillan and Lord Mountbatten. Printer William Caxton and Sir Walter Raleigh are buried within its grounds.
Since 1614 St Margarets Church has served as the parish church of the House of Commons. Winston Churchill famously brought the House of Commons here. They prayed in thanksgiving for the end of the Second World War.
One of the chief attractions of St Margarets Church is its walls. They are lined with memorials in varied styles. These memorials offer glimpses into the lives of people from the past.
The east window is a highlight. It was given by Henry VII to Waltham Abbey. After the Dissolution the Abbot sent it to a private chapel. It passed through many hands including those of Anne Boleyn’s father Oliver Cromwell and others. Eventually it was sold to St Margarets Church in 1758 for 400 guineas.
Other windows commemorate William Caxton Sir Walter Raleigh John Milton and Admiral Robert Blake. The south aisle windows were destroyed in the Second World War. In 1966 John Piper and Patrick Reyntiens created new abstract designs for them.
Many notable weddings have taken place at St Margarets Church. Members of Parliament and officers of the House of Lords and Commons often choose to marry here. Samuel Pepys John Milton and Winston Churchill were among those wedded here.
St Margarets Church also holds many baptisms. Olaudah Equiano the abolitionist was baptised here in 1759. Many prominent figures are buried here including William Caxton and Sir Walter Raleigh.
Today St Margarets Church continues to be an active place of worship. It also stands as a monument to British history and culture. Its walls have witnessed centuries of change. Its windows tell stories of love loss and remembrance. It forms part of a single UNESCO World Heritage Site with the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey.
Take a moment to appreciate the enduring legacy of St Margarets Church. It is a testament to faith resilience and the enduring spirit of the British people.