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Although St Margaret's is the
'parish church' of the House
of Commons it remains overshadowed by Westminster
Abbey.
The church was founded in the
12th century to serve the lay people of the monastery and
was run in tandem with Westminster Abbey for centuries.
St Margaret's was rebuilt in 1486 - 1523 and became the church
of the House of Commons in 1614.
The 17th century Puritans, who
disliked the ceremonial Westminster Abbey, thought St Margaret's
more suitable for worship. There have been parliamentary
services within its walls ever since.
In 1899 a statue of Oliver Cromwell,
who worshiped at St Margaret's, was erected outside Westminster
Hall. In response, some time later a bust of King Charles
I was installed in a niche overlooking the doorway at the
east end of the church.
In 1734 - 38 John James rebuilt
the north-west tower and encased the church in Portland stone.
The east and west porches were added by J L Pearson.
Sir Gilbert Scott, who restored St Margaret's in 1877, replaced
most of the furnishings, and is largely responsible for the
modern appearance of the interior. However, many Tudor
features were retained.
The arcades and the clerestory
windows form an procession to the east end, which has many
earlier elements. The east window, dating from 1509,
has richly coloured Flemish glass commemorating the betrothal
of Catherine of Aragon to Prince Arthur, elder brother of
Henry VIII.
The reredos, a triptych, has
a central panel carved in limewood by Siffron Alken.
Dating from 1758, this panel depicts the Supper at Emmaus.
Later windows commemorate William
Caxton, Britain's first printer, buried here in 1491, Sir
Walter Raleigh, who was executed in Old Palace Yard and buried
here in 1618, and the blind poet John Milton (1608 - 74),
who was a parishioner of St Margaret's and married his second
wife at the church.
On the south side of the church
is a window by John Piper, dated 1966. There are also
some fascinating Tudor monuments including a
bust of Cornelius Vandun, who died in 1577, a Yeoman of the
Guard, and an effigy of Mary, Lady Dudley, died 1600, the
sister of Lord Howard of Effingham, the English commander
against the Spanish Armada.
The church has
been a venue for political and society weddings. Samuel
Pepys, the diarist, and Sir Winston Churchill are amongst
the famous to be married here.
Admission free
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