St Margaret's Church, Durham

St Margaret's Church, Durham

St Margaret's Church was founded in the 12th century as a Chapel of Ease (backup church) in the parish of St Oswald in Durham. Those parishioners who found it too difficult to attend St Oswalds could congregate at St Margaret's. The full name of the Church is Saint Margaret of Antioch. It is at Crossgate, within view of Durham Cathedral. The land of St Margaret's was not consecrated as a burial ground until 1431.

It is thought that Nave, South Aisle, and Chancel date from 1150. A North Aisle and North Nave, built in the Norman style, were added by the end of the 12th century. Two Norman windows survived from that time, one in the Chancel and one in the South Nave. The Lady Chapel dates from the 15th century. Before that date, another chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary stood on the site.

The church has quite a several memorial plaques and a pipe organ. A striking and unusual 20th-century statue of the Madonna and Child by art teacher Brian Scraton adorns a niche in a 12th-century column. The church tower contains three bells, two medieval and one from the 16th century.

St Margaret Church is one of the oldest churches in the City of Durham. The religious edifice is a Grade II listed building on the National Heritage List for England.

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St Margaret's Church on Map

Sight Name: St Margaret's Church
Sight Location: Durham, England (See walking tours in Durham)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Durham, England

Create Your Own Walk in Durham

Create Your Own Walk in Durham

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Durham Introduction Walking Tour

Durham Introduction Walking Tour

The monks from Lindisfarne were on the run in 995, the Vikings hot behind. The monks were carrying the body of Saint Cuthbert. The Saint's bier stopped. Along came a milkmaid who had lost her dun cow. The coffin moved and the monks followed the maid to a high hill by the River Wear. The bier stopped again and, despite the effort of the monks, would not move. The monks had found their place.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles