Church Of St Margaret

The Church of St Margaret is a former parish church, originally dating from the 12th century, but largely rebuilt in the 15th century and heavily restored in 1850 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. It is constructed of knapped flint with stone dressings, and has a tiled roof. The church comprises a three-bay nave, a chancel reduced to a polygonal apse by Scott to accommodate road widening, north and south aisles, and a south-west tower.

The south-west tower has a 15th-century lower stage with clasping buttresses, with an octagonal turret added by Scott. The bell stage is square with lancet windows and a crenellated parapet, reconstructed following bomb damage in 1942. The west gable of the nave exhibits a Decorated style traceried window designed by Scott, and a doorway, which is a Scott copy of a mid-12th-century doorway featuring shafts and billet detailing on the hood mould. The aisles, also 15th-century, have been altered by Scott and contain Decorated style windows. A continuous plinth moulding runs around the building.

The interior features a three-bay nave with a four-bay crownpost roof. The aisles have reconstructed octagonal piers with a double wave on the arches. A piscina from the early 14th century is located in the south wall of the north chapel. Notable monuments include a large wall monument commemorating Sir George Newman (died 1627), featuring an effigy in legal robes set within an architectural surround with columns, an open pediment and scrollwork; a wall tablet to Joseph Colfe (died 1620); and a monument to John Watson (died 1642) depicting a half-figure in an architectural niche wearing a ruff and holding a skull. A series of good 17th and 18th-century wall plaques are also present, including one to John Barret and Paul Lukin (died 1709), a substantial tablet signed by John Friend, featuring mourning putti. A brass depicts John Wynter, twice Mayor of Canterbury (died 1470), in civilian dress.

The church was built on the remains of Roman public baths, and was originally belonging to St Augustine's Abbey before being given to the Poor Priests Hospital in 1271, remaining in their care until 1575.