Church Of St Margaret

The Church of St Margaret, dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch, is a primarily 14th-century church constructed from flint and stone rubble with stone dressings. The clerestorey dates from the 15th century, while the square west tower, made of red brick, was built in the 18th century. The original west tower collapsed in the 17th century and was replaced by the current tower in 1733, as noted on a stone tablet in the gallery, which credits Francis Dickens of Branches Park for its construction. The aisles feature lead roofs, and the roofs of the nave and chancel are tiled. Inside, the nave has kingpost roof trusses, and both the north and south doors are original.

A significant portion of the medieval rood screen, dating around 1400, remains intact. This screen, along with the one in Lavenham Church, is one of the only surviving examples in Suffolk that includes original gates and hinges. Flanking the chancel arch are squints, and above it are remnants of a large medieval wall painting depicting the Last Judgment. The parclose screen in the south aisle is of a later date than the chancel screen. The font is 14th-century, octagonal, and features quatrefoil ornamentation on its panels.

In the west gallery, there is a hatchment of King George II, and on the south wall, a hatchment commemorates Henry Usborne, who resided at Branches Park and served as High Sheriff of the County in 1823. A marble monument honors Frances Dickens, who died in 1840, and depicts seated figures of him and his wife. At the west end of the north aisle, plain wooden benches were provided for inmates of a local house of correction. Above these benches is an intriguing tablet that states: "MEM DM THAT AT A VISIT ACTION HOULD EN AT COWLINGE THE 2 DAY OF JULY IN THE YEAR OF O LORD 1618 IT WAS NACTED WITH THE CONSENTE OF THE CHURCH WARDENS THAT IT SHOULD BE LAWFUL FOR THOMAS WOLRYCH ESQUIER TO ERECT AND BUILD UP CERTEINE SEATES BEHIND THE NORTH CHURCH DORE FOR THE USE OF THE KEEPER OF THE CORRECTION HOUSE IN COWLINGE AFORESAIDE AND THE PRISONERS THEREIN AND SO TO CONTINEWE."