St Margaret’s, Margaretting, Essex

The church of St Margaret is named for St Margaret of Antioch and lies about a mile from the village of Margaretting in Essex. There has been a church on this site since Norman times but the current church is of 15th century date.  It has a unique setting, the approach being over a level crossing. Do not mess about here, this is the main line from Liverpool Street to Ipswich. Trains are frequent and fast.

The main source of protective marks in the church are the posts and cross braces under the tower, which have a plethora of burn marks.

There are also a few burn marks on the inside of the north door.

My personal favourite of the graffiti in the church is a charming sketch of a face with a long nose, a long pipe and a hat with a jaunty feather in it. I feel this is too particular for it not to have been drawn from life.

There rest of the graffiti is mostly names and initials. There is a nice selection in the choir stalls. There is also an echo of a sermon from long ago with ‘GOD loves all the children’. And a list of bellringers from under the tower.

Report by Anthea Hawdon

St Margaret’s, Church Lane, Margaretting, Ingatestone, CM4 0ED

The church is usually locked, but contacts can be found on the church Facebook group.

 

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