Church Of St Margaret

WELL WELL VALE PARK TF 47 SW 4/44 Church of St. Margaret 3.2.67 G.V. I

Parish church. Built in 1733 in the form of a Palladian Temple on a direct axis to the front door of Well Vale House. Altered late C18, restored 1959. Red brick in English bond, painted ashlar dressings and stucco. Westmoreland slate roof with lead dressings, boarded bell cupola, with shaped felted dome, dating from restoration. Single cell plan with eastern Tuscan tetrastyle portico, consisting of 4 ashlar columns, supporting large pediment on plain brackets. Diamond set stone flagged floor to portico. On the inner stuccoed wall 4 pilasters frame the 8 panelled doorway with moulded architrave and cornice, flanked by single blank openings with moulded architrave and keystone. The added sexagonal bellcote over has weather boarded base and 6 Tuscan columns support cornice and cupola. The side walls of the nave have plinth and deeply overhanging eaves with plain dentillated brackets, 2 semi-circular headed windows with key and impost blocks, later Y tracery and leaded lights. In the west end a Venetian window with broad dividing pier. Interior. Egg and dart moulded rear arches to windows. Walls have late C18 swagged frieze and dentillated cornice, elaborate ceiling with plaster roundels of bound stems, harebell swags and cherubs. Fittings. C18 tiered box pews to either side of nave, with fluted pilasters to front panels. Similar pews to either side of altar. Early C18 altar rails with knopped and turned balusters. C20 panelled oak reredos with central niche, all in C18 style. Double decker panelled pulpit with tester having triglyph and dentillated frieze. Stair balusters match altar rails. Panelled oak gallery hung with Royal Arms of George II and C18 funeral hatchments, one of 1733 to Mrs. Anne Bateman of Wellvale House. To either side of the altar are semi-circular headed commandment boards with moulded plaster surrounds. Source: Country Life, Dec.21, 1972.

Listing NGR: TF4440573374