St Margaret's Church: The House of Commons' Parish Church by Westminster Abbey

Church of St Margaret on Google Street View

(Jul 2024)

Tucked beside the grandeur of Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster, St Margaret's Church (GPS: 51.49982, -0.12669) is often overlooked by visitors rushing between the two larger landmarks. Yet this beautiful Anglican church, dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch, holds its own as a site of rich history, architectural charm, and political significance. It is the parish church of the House of Commons, often called "the church of the nation."

Founded by Benedictine monks in the 12th century, St Margaret's was originally established to serve local parishioners who lived in the growing community outside the Abbey walls. As Westminster Abbey focused on monastic life and royal ceremonies, the need for a more accessible place of worship for ordinary citizens prompted the creation of this parish church.

The current building dates primarily from a complete reconstruction carried out between 1486 and 1523, during the reign of Henry VII. The rebuilding was led by Robert Stowell, the master mason of Westminster Abbey at the time. Its late Perpendicular Gothic style reflects the transition from medieval to Tudor architecture, with its battlemented tower and large stained-glass windows.

In 1614, the church gained political prominence when it was designated the official parish church of the Palace of Westminster. Puritan members of Parliament, uncomfortable with the elaborate Catholic-style rituals of Westminster Abbey, preferred the simpler and more austere worship practiced at St Margaret's. That tradition has continued, and to this day, the church is closely tied to the workings of Parliament.

St Margaret's underwent several alterations over the centuries. The northwest tower was rebuilt between 1733 and 1748, and the interior was given a significant restoration in 1877 by Sir George Gilbert Scott, a leading figure in the Gothic Revival movement. Scott's work helped preserve and highlight the church's medieval character while adapting it for modern use.

Among its many artistic treasures is the east window, a stunning piece of Flemish stained glass dating from 1509, originally made to commemorate the marriage of Catherine of Aragon to Prince Arthur. After various relocations, it found a permanent home at St Margaret's.

The church has also been a setting for high-profile weddings and funerals. Perhaps most famously, it hosted the wedding of Winston Churchill to Clementine Hozier in 1908. Many other "society" weddings have followed, cementing its place as a fashionable and meaningful venue for the British elite.

In 1987, St Margaret's Church was inscribed - along with Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster - as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its global cultural and historic importance.

Despite being surrounded by more imposing neighbors, St Margaret's Church remains a quiet, dignified witness to centuries of British history. With its deep ties to both spiritual life and parliamentary tradition, it continues to be one of London's most historically resonant landmarks.

How to reach the Church of St Margaret

The nearest London Underground station is the Westminster Tube Station.

Church of St Margaret is on the Map of the City of Westminster, London

St Margaret's Church, Westminster
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:St_Margaret%27s,_Westminster#mediaviewer/File:Saint_margaret_westminster_abbey.jpg
Author: romainberth


Church of St Margaret, London
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint.margarets.overall.london.arp.jpg
Author: Adrian Pingstone

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