Parish Church Of St Margaret

TL 0470-0570 COVINGTON CHURCH LANE (SOUTH END)

8/1 PARISH CHURCH OF 14.5.59 ST MARGARET

GV II*

Parish church built of limestone rubble, originally plastered with dressings of Weldon stone. Roofs of old and C20 plain tiles, and lead. C14 nave rebuilt on C12 plan with a chapel on south side demolished in C15. Chancel c 1300 restored, with chancel arch of same date. The west tower C14 partly rebuilt in the early C16 with angle buttresses. Tower roof C16. The vestry, south porch, and roofs to the nave and chancel C20. Reset into the building are features of the C12 church.

The chancel has 3 original windows each of 2 lancet lights; 2 in south wall have a spandrel with a quatrefoil. The glass of the north window has a C14 shield of arms. The piscena has chamfered jambs and trefoiled head. In the north wall is a rectangular recess. C12 door reset in south wall, has chamfered jambs and round arch with moulded imposts and label. Two-centred chancel arch has responds with attached shafts.

The nave north wall has 2 C14 windows of 3 and 2 ogee lights. The C12 north door has chamfered jambs and lintel, moulded imposts, round arch and chamfered label; the tympanum has a carved griffon and lion. In the south wall a C15 window is set in the sealed C14 2-centred arch leading to the former chapel. High in the external wall is a sealed doorway. The south doorway, early C13, has a 2-centred arch richly moulded, the 2 shafts to the jambs have foliate capitals.

The tower of 3 stages has a pyramidal roof. The early C16 tower arch has been rebuilt with earlier material. The west C14 window has 2 trefoiled ogee lights. The belfry windows are C16.

North door leaf has original C12 or C13 strap hinges. South door, possibly C14 has 5 v-edged oak boards, C16 strap hinges on modern battens. C16 rebuilt pews. C12 font octagonal, with scalloped base. RCHM Huntingdonshire, p 64.

Listing NGR: TL0544370773