Churches of St. Margaret

• St. Margaret's Church - St. Margaret

  This peaceful little church stands 800 feet above sea level, and commands stunning views all around.

  St. Margaret’s Church is situated on the border of the Southern Marches and indeed many features of the church are Welsh rather than typically English. John Betjeman rather beautifully wrote:
  “My own memory of the perfect Herefordshire is a Spring day in the foothills of the Black Mountains and finding among the winding hilltop lanes the remote little church of St. Margarets, where there was no sound but a farm dog’s distant barking.”

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Many of the soft sandstone gravestones in the churchyard are weathered beyond reading, but a few sheltered ones survive including one for Harriet, who died in 1910 aged 77 – she was the wife of William Powell of Rock Cottage. It is inscribed “She was District Nurse – attended 526 births and never lost a mother”.

  Restoration of St. Margaret’s  in the mid 19th century

  In the mid 19th century the church underwent restoration, and was re-opened at the end of July 1866.

  This description was published in the Hereford Journal:

  “This church which consists of nave, chancel and south porch, though extensively altered in the 14th century, was erected some 200 years previously;  and while wanting in the rich and beautiful ornamentation so frequently lavished on structures of that period, yet possesses one of the most perfect 14th century oak rood lofts in the country, the exquisite and elaborate carving of which will be the wonder and admiration of succeeding generations as it must have been of past ones.  Its excessive richness has no doubt been its protection from the destructive tendencies of the last few centuries, for of the beautiful two light windows which succeeded the narrow ones of the Norman period, only one has escaped, the other openings now being filled with ordinary windows.

  Some 30 years ago, the timbers supporting the bells (of which there are three protected by a wooden covering on the west end of the roof) showed signs of decay, and the inhabitants of the parish were rated for their repair.  This resulted in the building of a wall across the west end of the nave, shortening it by some eight feet and thereby spoiling its proportions.

  The present work of restoration has been but a very partial one, as the removal of the cross wall, with the addition of 30 sittings which would be thus obtained, the scraping and staining of the nave roof timbers, the opening of the chancel roof, a new porch, bell cot, Communion railing, and east window, are very much needed.

  What has been done however, with the exception of necessary repairs to the roofs and drainage, has been to the interior.  The old horsebox pews, with the dilapidated flooring before them;  the ungainly pulpit and reading desk, and the ricketty deal Communion table with its turned legs, have all disappeared, and have been replaced with new ones of stained pine.

  Great attention has been paid to the construction of the sittings, which have been made with sloping backs and seats so as to make them thoroughly comfortable, and 94 worshippers can now be accommodated which is more than double the previous number.  All the seats are intended to be free and unappropriated for ever.

  The new pulpit and lectern have been designed in character with the rest of the work.  A new stone floor has been laid throughout the church, except beneath the seats where wood is employed.

  The beautiful rood loft which had been used as a gallery was much injured and torn out of place;  considerable pains have been bestowed on its recovery and a door has been placed at the top of the steps leading into it from the chancel, so as to prevent more misuse.

  A couple of good oak seats have been fixed in the porch and the font has been cleaned and moved to a better position near the entrance.”

  Mr. E.H. Lingen Barker was the architect, and Mr. Thomas Watkins was the contractor.

  Mr. Rowberry of Hereford was in charge of painting and staining, and the encaustic tiles came from Mr. Godwin’s well known works at Lugwardine.

  Read More >

News from the Past St. Margaret

• St. Margaret News from the Past

  Wife beatings and weddings

   

  1844 – Old Man Dies in Fire

  James Jones, an 80 year old clerk to the parish, was alone in his house when he tripped and fell into the fire.
  He was so badly burnt that he died soon afterwards.

  1863 – Sudden Death at St. Margarets

  Anne Price aged 63 was found dead in her kitchen by her son Henry – she having been quite well the day before.
  The surgeon who examined the body thought that Anne had died from heart disease, and the fact that she had been exerting herself rather a lot the previous day probably was the cause.

  1866 – Wife Beaten at St. Margaret

  Richard Smout, a labourer of St. Margaret, was convicted of violently assaulting his heavily pregnant wife.
  A neighbour had heard her screams, and saw Richard with a handful of his wife’s hair which he had torn from her head.
  Richard was sent to gaol with three months hard labour.

  1867 – The Wedding of H.H. Wood of Whitehouse, St. Margarets

  After a tour of Scotland, H.H. Wood and his bride returned to Whitehouse where a Union Jack had been hoisted in their honour.
  On their way they were met with many a cheering sight, – the keeper of the Bachow turnpike had made a beautiful arch, and at Vowchurch, Mr. Jones erected something similar. As they approached the church at Turnastone, there was another welcoming garland and near to the Rectory on yet another arch, a local poet had penned a welcome to the happy couple.
  As the pair approached the drive they were met by the Longtown band; the school children and many friends, and were escorted home where the master of the parish school read an address of welcome from the parishioners. A presentation was made of a lovely silver inkstand from the parishioners, which was handed over by a little blind boy.
  An old servant of the family read an address, and then Mr. Burnett, the oldest tenant on the estate, on behalf of the tenantry and some friends, presented a glorious silver salver.
  Mr. Wood was very touched at the affection shown to himself and his new wife, and gave a speech reflecting this. He invited his friends inside, where tables were covered with all manner of delicacies. Huge amounts of beef and other meat were distributed to the parishioners outside, and the children were given tea and cake.
  Everyone having eaten and drunk their fill, they turned their attention of the outdoor games and sports which were hugely enjoyed by all, and their energy knew no bounds because afterwards they began to dance. The bride and bridegroom joined in with gay abandon, until late in the evening when everyone agreed that it had been a stupendous day.
  There were so many people there, that it was thought every inhabitant of St. Margaret’s, Vowchurch and Turnastone had been present.

  Read More >

1844 – Old Man Dies in Fire

James Jones, an 80 year old clerk to the parish, was alone in his house when he tripped and fell into the fire.
He was so badly burnt that he died soon afterwards.

1863 – Sudden Death at St. Margarets

Anne Price aged 63 was found dead in her kitchen by her son Henry – she having been quite well the day before.
The surgeon who examined the body thought that Anne had died from heart disease, and the fact that she had been exerting herself rather a lot the previous day probably was the cause.

1866 – Wife Beaten at St. Margaret

Richard Smout, a labourer of St. Margaret, was convicted of violently assaulting his heavily pregnant wife.
A neighbour had heard her screams, and saw Richard with a handful of his wife’s hair which he had torn from her head.
Richard was sent to gaol with three months hard labour.

1867 – The Wedding of H.H. Wood of Whitehouse, St. Margarets

After a tour of Scotland, H.H. Wood and his bride returned to Whitehouse where a Union Jack had been hoisted in their honour.
On their way they were met with many a cheering sight, – the keeper of the Bachow turnpike had made a beautiful arch, and at Vowchurch, Mr. Jones erected something similar. As they approached the church at Turnastone, there was another welcoming garland and near to the Rectory on yet another arch, a local poet had penned a welcome to the happy couple.
As the pair approached the drive they were met by the Longtown band; the school children and many friends, and were escorted home where the master of the parish school read an address of welcome from the parishioners. A presentation was made of a lovely silver inkstand from the parishioners, which was handed over by a little blind boy.
An old servant of the family read an address, and then Mr. Burnett, the oldest tenant on the estate, on behalf of the tenantry and some friends, presented a glorious silver salver.
Mr. Wood was very touched at the affection shown to himself and his new wife, and gave a speech reflecting this. He invited his friends inside, where tables were covered with all manner of delicacies. Huge amounts of beef and other meat were distributed to the parishioners outside, and the children were given tea and cake.
Everyone having eaten and drunk their fill, they turned their attention of the outdoor games and sports which were hugely enjoyed by all, and their energy knew no bounds because afterwards they began to dance. The bride and bridegroom joined in with gay abandon, until late in the evening when everyone agreed that it had been a stupendous day.
There were so many people there, that it was thought every inhabitant of St. Margaret’s, Vowchurch and Turnastone had been present.

St. Margaret’s Church is situated on the border of the Southern Marches and indeed many features of the church are Welsh rather than typically English. John Betjeman rather beautifully wrote:
“My own memory of the perfect Herefordshire is a Spring day in the foothills of the Black Mountains and finding among the winding hilltop lanes the remote little church of St. Margarets, where there was no sound but a farm dog’s distant barking.”

Many of the soft sandstone gravestones in the churchyard are weathered beyond reading, but a few sheltered ones survive including one for Harriet, who died in 1910 aged 77 – she was the wife of William Powell of Rock Cottage. It is inscribed “She was District Nurse – attended 526 births and never lost a mother”.

Restoration of St. Margaret’s  in the mid 19th century

In the mid 19th century the church underwent restoration, and was re-opened at the end of July 1866.

This description was published in the Hereford Journal:

“This church which consists of nave, chancel and south porch, though extensively altered in the 14th century, was erected some 200 years previously;  and while wanting in the rich and beautiful ornamentation so frequently lavished on structures of that period, yet possesses one of the most perfect 14th century oak rood lofts in the country, the exquisite and elaborate carving of which will be the wonder and admiration of succeeding generations as it must have been of past ones.  Its excessive richness has no doubt been its protection from the destructive tendencies of the last few centuries, for of the beautiful two light windows which succeeded the narrow ones of the Norman period, only one has escaped, the other openings now being filled with ordinary windows.

Some 30 years ago, the timbers supporting the bells (of which there are three protected by a wooden covering on the west end of the roof) showed signs of decay, and the inhabitants of the parish were rated for their repair.  This resulted in the building of a wall across the west end of the nave, shortening it by some eight feet and thereby spoiling its proportions.

The present work of restoration has been but a very partial one, as the removal of the cross wall, with the addition of 30 sittings which would be thus obtained, the scraping and staining of the nave roof timbers, the opening of the chancel roof, a new porch, bell cot, Communion railing, and east window, are very much needed.

What has been done however, with the exception of necessary repairs to the roofs and drainage, has been to the interior.  The old horsebox pews, with the dilapidated flooring before them;  the ungainly pulpit and reading desk, and the ricketty deal Communion table with its turned legs, have all disappeared, and have been replaced with new ones of stained pine.

Great attention has been paid to the construction of the sittings, which have been made with sloping backs and seats so as to make them thoroughly comfortable, and 94 worshippers can now be accommodated which is more than double the previous number.  All the seats are intended to be free and unappropriated for ever.

The new pulpit and lectern have been designed in character with the rest of the work.  A new stone floor has been laid throughout the church, except beneath the seats where wood is employed.

The beautiful rood loft which had been used as a gallery was much injured and torn out of place;  considerable pains have been bestowed on its recovery and a door has been placed at the top of the steps leading into it from the chancel, so as to prevent more misuse.

A couple of good oak seats have been fixed in the porch and the font has been cleaned and moved to a better position near the entrance.”

Mr. E.H. Lingen Barker was the architect, and Mr. Thomas Watkins was the contractor.

Mr. Rowberry of Hereford was in charge of painting and staining, and the encaustic tiles came from Mr. Godwin’s well known works at Lugwardine.