Church Of Saint Margaret

The Church of Saint Margaret is a parish church containing fabric from the 12th century, with significant additions and alterations spanning the 13th to 19th centuries. The nave and north arcade retain sections from the 12th century, while the remainder of the arcade dates to the 13th century. The chancel is 13th century, with 14th and 15th century windows, and the tower is also 13th century, with a top stage from the 14th and 15th centuries. Restorations took place in 1869 by James Fowler of Louth, which included rebuilding the north aisle, chancel, and much of the nave, along with a new porch and vestry. An organ chamber was added in 1912.

The church is constructed primarily of ironstone rubble with squared blocks, incorporating some chalk and flint rubble. Limestone ashlar dressings and facing are used on the upper stage of the tower. The roof is covered in Westmorland slate. The tower is two-stage, featuring a chamfered plinth and quoins, with a lancet window on the west side. The restored top stage has pointed two-light belfry openings, with trefoiled lights and pierced quatrefoils on the north and south sides, and restored Y-tracery to the east and west. An embattled parapet is topped by gargoyles and eight crocketed pinnacles.

The nave has a pair of round-headed windows flanking the south porch; the western one is a relic of the 12th century, while the east window is largely restored and features a 19th-century Y-traceried two-light design. The north aisle has buttresses and Y-traceried two-light windows. The organ chamber has a pointed three-light traceried window, with an oval light in the gable above. The chancel features pointed three-light south windows with restored Perpendicular tracery, hoodmoulds, and headstops, as well as a 19th-century three-light traceried east window. A section of 10th to 11th century carved interlace stone has been re-set into the north wall. The south porch has angle buttresses, a shafted pointed outer door with a zig-zag moulded arch incorporating 12th-century stone, ornate 3-light side windows with detached shafts and seats below, and a 12th-century chamfered round-arched inner door with plain moulded imposts.

The interior features a 5-bay north arcade, the central round arch of which is two orders with zig-zag, crenellated, carved pellet and roll mouldings, supported by cylindrical piers with chamfered square abaci, plain capitals, and bases. One pier is partly 13th century, featuring a waterholding base. Flanking the central arch are pointed double-chamfered arches on octagonal piers with plain moulded capitals and bases, with a waterholding base to the east respond. A wide pointed double-chamfered tower arch dies into plain jambs. The chancel arch is a 19th-century pointed moulded arch on filleted responds. The chancel retains remains of a 13th-century blank arcading with plain and chamfered arches on triple shafts with plain moulded capitals. The organ chamber has a 19th-century pointed moulded arch on similar responds, as well as an ornate 19th-century aumbry. A floor slab at the east end of the nave commemorates Ralph Ballel of 1730, featuring an oval panel with carved arms and crest.