St Margaret's Church, Topsham

St Margaret's Church in Topsham, Devon, is a parish church in the Church of England. It is a Grade II* listed building composed of a 14th-century Gothic tower and a 19th-century Gothic Revival main structure.^[1]

St Margaret's Church, Topsham
St Margaret's Church from the River Exe
St Margaret's Church, Topsham
50.68283066181839°N 3.4655428214461206°W / 50.68283066181839; -3.4655428214461206,
OS grid reference	SX 96537 88029
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Central churchmanship
Website	www.achurchnearyou.com/church/8641/
History
Status	Operational
Dedication	St Margaret of Antioch
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade II* listed
Architect(s)	Edward Ashworth
Style	Gothic and Gothic Revival
Years built	14th & 19th century
Specifications
Number of towers	1
Materials	Limestone and Heavitree stone
Administration
Province	Canterbury
Diocese	Exeter
Archdeaconry	Exeter
Parish	Topsham
Clergy
Vicar(s)	Revd Louise Grace

Building

The Perpendicular Gothic tower was built in the 14th century from Heavitree stone, the lower part having required repair after damage in the English Civil War.^[2][3] The main body of the church was rebuilt in the Gothic Revival style from limestone in 1874-6 by Edward Ashworth at a cost of £8,550.^[1] The building is dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch.^[4] A previous church dedicated to St James stood on the site since the 10th century.^[5]

The church contains a distinctive Norman font, and the stained glass is Victorian and Edwardian, including work by Burlison and Grylls described by Nikolaus Pevsner as 'one of their best in Devon'.^[1]

Memorials

There are two Greek Revival monuments of black and white marble by Sir Francis Chantrey, dedicated to Admiral Sir John Duckworth and his son Lt. Col. George Duckworth.^[1]

There is a memorial stone to Thomas Randle, who served on HMS Victory with Lord Nelson.^[4]

The oldest tombstone is from 1524, marking the resting place of Mathew Mongey, a successful Exeter merchant.

Topsham War Memorial stands by the main road near the church's east entrance. It was built, of granite, as a memorial to 69 parishioners who died in the First World War memorial in 1920, then altered after the Second World War, adding the names of 23 parishioners who died in that conflict. It is separately Grade II Listed.^[6]

Current day

The church works in close partnership with the nearby church of St Luke's, Countess Wear.^[7] The church hosts regular visiting musicians for recitals.^[7] The church is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.^[8]