St Margaret's Church, Topsham

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St Margaret's Church, Topsham
St Margaret's church, Topsham.jpg
St Margaret's Church from the River Exe
Devon UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
St Margaret's Church, Topsham
50°40′58″N3°27′56″W / 50.68283066181839°N 3.4655428214461206°W / 50.68283066181839; -3.4655428214461206 ,
OS grid reference SX 96537 88029
Country England
Denomination Church of England
Churchmanship Central churchmanship
Websitewww.achurchnearyou.com/church/8641/
History
StatusOperational
Dedication St Margaret of Antioch
Architecture
Heritage designation Grade II* listed
Architect(s) Edward Ashworth
Style Gothic and Gothic Revival
Years built14th & 19th century
Specifications
Number of towers 1
Materials Limestone and Heavitree stone
Administration
Province Canterbury
Diocese Exeter
Archdeaconry Exeter
Parish Topsham
Clergy
Vicar(s) Revd Louise Grace

St Margaret's Church in Topsham, Devon, is a parish church in the Church of England. It is a Grade II* listed building composed of a 14th-century Gothic tower and a 19th-century Gothic Revival main structure. [1]

Contents

Building

The Perpendicular Gothic tower was built in the 14th century from Heavitree stone, the lower part having required repair after damage in the English Civil War. [2] [3] The main body of the church was rebuilt in the Gothic Revival style from limestone in 1874-6 by Edward Ashworth at a cost of £8,550. [1] The building is dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch. [4] A previous church dedicated to St James stood on the site since the 10th century. [5]

The church contains a distinctive Norman font, and the stained glass is Victorian and Edwardian, including work by Burlison and Grylls described by Nikolaus Pevsner as 'one of their best in Devon'. [1]

Memorials

There are two Greek Revival monuments of black and white marble by Sir Francis Chantrey, dedicated to Admiral Sir John Duckworth and his son Lt. Col. George Duckworth. [1]

There is a memorial stone to Thomas Randle, who served on HMS Victory with Lord Nelson. [4]

Topsham War Memorial stands by the main road near the church's east entrance. It was built, of granite, as a memorial to 69 parishioners who died in the First World War memorial in 1920, then altered after the Second World War, adding the names of 23 parishioners who died in that conflict. It is separately Grade II Listed. [6]

Current day

The church works in close partnership with the nearby church of St Luke's, Countess Wear. [7] The church hosts regular visiting musicians for recitals. [7] The church is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. [8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "ST MARGARET'S CHURCH, Non Civil Parish - 1170373 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  2. ↑ "Heritage Gateway - Results". www.heritagegateway.org.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  3. ↑ hqt_admin (20 September 2023). "M St Margaret's Church Topsham". clarebryden.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  4. 1 2 Graham-N-admin (30 November 2020). "The Quick Guide to Topsham's Churches". Love Topsham. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  5. ↑ "Topsham, St Margaret | Devon Historic Graffiti Survey" . Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  6. ↑ "Topsham War Memorial, Non Civil Parish - 1462899 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  7. 1 2 "St Margaret's Church, Topsham". www.achurchnearyou.com. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  8. ↑ "THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIATICAL PARISH OF ST MARGARET, TOPSHAM - Charity 1128301". prd-ds-register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
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