Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 43 to 1870. Parish church constructed during the 12th century but rebuilt in the 15th century and heavily restored circa 1850 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Some reconstruction took place following bomb damage in 1942. The church is constructed of flint and stone and has a tile roof.

Monument Types

• CHURCH (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon to Modern - 410 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

[TR 14895774] St Margaret's Church [NAT]. (1) St Margaret's Church, St Margaret's Street, Canterbury is 14thc. with 12thc. remains in the nave. (2-3) In normal use. (4) Church of St Margaret, St Margaret's Street. Grade II*. Former parish church. C12 in origin but rebuilt in C15 and heavily restored c1850 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The church was built on the remains of Roman public baths. At first belonging to St Augustine's Abbey the church was given to the Poor Priests Hospital in 1271 in whose hands it remained until 1575. (5) St Margaret: extant by 1155 (a). Still exists with churchyard dating from at least 1477. Redundant after 1942 war damage, reopened as a church for the deaf in 1958. Closed 1983. Fine mid 12th century doorat west end of nave. (6) Additional bibliography. (7-8)

Electricity Board trench revealed a chalk and stone foundation first uncovered in 1986 (9)

Description from record TR 15 NW 1152:
The following text is from the original listed building designation:

ST MARGARET'S STREET
(North-west side)
TR 1457 NE 4/199 Church of St Margaret
The grade shall be amended to read
II* (star)
The description should be amended to read
Former parish church. C12 in origin but rebuilt in C15 and heavily restored C1850 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Faced with knapped flint with stone dressings and tiled roof. 3 bay nave with chancel reduced to a polygonal apse by Scott for road widening, north and south aisles and south west tower. South west tower has C15 lower stage with clasping buttresses and octagonal turret added by Scott, and squarish bell stage with lancets and crenellated parapet recon- structed after bomb damage in 1942. Nave is C15 restored with west gable end with Decorated style traceried window by Scott and west doorway which is a Scott copy of the Mid C12 doorway with shafts and billet on the hood mould. Aisles are also C15 altered by Scott and have Decorated style windows. Continuous plinth moulding. Interior has 3 bay nave with 4 bay crownpost roof. Aisles have reconstructed octagonal piers and a double wave on the arches. Early C14 piscina in south wall of North chapel. Good monuments including Sir George Newman (d 1627), a large wall monument at east end of south aisle with effigy in legal robes reclining on one side set in architectural surround including columns, open pediment and scrolls flanking the inscription. Joseph Colfe (d 1620) an architectural wall tablet and John Watson (d 1642) in the South wall, a half-figure facing the front in architectural niche wearing a ruff and resting his left hand on a skull. There are a series of good C17 and C18 wall plaques including one to John Barret and Paul Lukin (d 1709) a big architectural tablet with mourning putti signed by John Friend. Brass to John Wynter, twice Mayor of Canterbury (d 1470) in civilian dress. The church was built on the remains of Roman public baths. At first belonging to St Augustine's Abbey the church was given to the Poor Priests Hospital in 1271 in whose hands it remained until 1575. (See BOE "East Kent" P 232 and Canterbury Archaeological Trust pamphlet by Tim Tatton Brown "April 1986)
1. 944 ST MARGARET'S STREET (North West Side)
Church of St Margaret TR 1457 NE 4/199 3.12.49.
B GV
2. C14 but heavily restored circa 1850 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The exterior is flint faced with stone quoins and dressings and tiled roof. Crenellated parapet and squat tower. Windows are 3-light lancets. Interior has a 3 bay nave, apse and south Aisle. C16 brass. Part of the building dates from the C12. At first belonging to St Augustine's Abbey, the Church was given to the Poor Priests Hospital in 1271, in whose hands it remained until 15750. Elizabethan wall monuments and C16 brass.
Nos 27 to 36 (consec) and Church of St Margaret form a group.
Listing NGR: TR1488757741 (10)

Historic England archive material: BF051855 ST MARGARETS CHURCH, CANTERBURY File of material relating to a site or building. This material has not yet been fully catalogued. Copyright, date, and quantity information for this record may be incomplete or inaccurate.

<1> OS 1/2500 1957 (OS Card Reference). SKE48127.

<2> MHLG (944/11/A Mar 1962) 47 (OS Card Reference). SKE47038.

<3> Arch J 86 1930 249 (AW Clapham) (OS Card Reference). SKE36737.

<4> F1 FGA 01-FEB-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42877.

<5> DOE (HHR) City of Canterbury Amdt to 1973 list 18-06-87 (OS Card Reference). SKE39968.

<6> CBA Churches Comm Bull 25 1989 - compiled 1984 - 12 (T Tatton Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE38774.

<7> Hist Builds Survey Cant City Council/RCHME 57035 10 29 (OS Card Reference). SKE43877.

<8> St Margaret's Church CAT pamplet April 1986 (T Tatton Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE49632.

<9> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1990, Canterbury's Archaeology 1988-1989 (Monograph). SKE6722.

<10> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading