Blue Plaque 2 - The Church of St. Margaret of Antioch

"One of the most beautiful churches in Leicestershire” - Sir Nikolaus Pevsner
 
"A building of exceptional perfection showing Decorated design and carving at its best”
  - Sir John Betjeman

"The arcade worthy in its detail of a cathedral" - W. G. Hoskins
 
The above are some of the comments by eminent authors on this beautiful village church dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch.

The church has evidence of its early 13th Century origins, notably the stonework of the north wall, and the now-internal chancel south wall. It underwent extensive enlargement between 1290 and 1340 when the south aisle and Lady Chapel, and the tower and spire were added.  The chancel too, was widened in the 14th Century, but was rebuilt using much of the old materials in 1882, when it acquired its strange pitched roof. The main lead covered roofs, replaced high pitched types in the 15th Century. The old roof line can be seen by the weather strip on the east face of the tower.
Standing at the head of Crown Hill, it is an impressive village church, its details mercifully unrestored since it acquired its present form in the early 14th Century. It is thus noted for its Gothic architecture and a resort for architectural students.

The building is entirely of the Decorated period ranging from the early Geometric style, in transition from Early English, represented by the windows of the south wall through the lovely Decorated east windows to the curvilinear and flamboyant tracery of the windows which were inserted in the old north wall between 1320-40. (The 14th Century windows of the Chancel were saved and carefully re-installed when that part of the church was necessarily rebuilt.) The beautiful open-work quatrefoil parapet of the south wall is an external feature to be noted. This is matched by the parapet at the top of the tower with the heads of Edward lll and Queen Philippa on the south face. The pinnacles on the east end are quite lovely. The church is graced by a finely proportioned early recessed spire, which is a landmark of the surrounding area. Incidentally, the spire was taken down during the last war because of the proximity of Lindley airfield, (now M.l.R.A.) its numbered stones being carefully rebuilt afterwards.

Internally, the outstanding feature is the exquisite arcade between nave and aisle, again of the early 14th Century, with its shafted and filleted piers, moulded arches, and gloriously carved capitals with foliage and heads, ladies with wimples, a youth with toothache, and a couple of “green men”. In the south wall is a tomb recess with an incised slab featuring a sword. The slab is c1275 and the tomb may be the resting place of the person who was responsible for the enlarged and rebuilt church of whom there is much conjecture. The south aisle and chapel contain two rather lovely piscinae, and on this wall can be seen remnants of 14th Century wall paintings, one of which is thought to
portray The Annunciation. The beautiful old font from about 1330 should not be missed. This is octagonal and finely carved with representations of Saints Nicholas, Margaret and Katharine together with heraldic panels and others with tracery.  The Old Chest has the carved initials of the Churchwardens and the date 1636 although it is thought to be older. There are two interesting paintings of date 1824 and 1920. Monuments include a large wall memorial in the Lady Chapel to Sir Henry Firebrace (noted for his service to Stuart Kings). There is also a 17th Century brass almost hidden by the organ casing.

Stoke Church has a fine ring of six bells, two of which are from the 17th Century. An enthusiastic band of ringers enrich life in the village, on Sundays and at other times.

The Churchyard was closed for burials in 1883 but now presents a well kept green ward much needed in the village. The church is illuminated at night by floodlighting provided by the Charity of Thomas Barton.

King Henry Vll was crowned after The Battle of Bosworth Field on Crown Hill, Stoke Golding about 300 metres west of the church. It seems hard to believe that the new king did not proceed to the nearby church to hold mass and give thanks for his victory and his crown.

Stoke Golding is privileged indeed to possess such an architectural gem as the Church of St Margaret of Antioch

Blue Plaque 3

Return to Interactive Map