St Margaret's Church, Westminster
St Margaret's Church, Westminster, Anglican parish church in Westminster, United Kingdom.
Description
St Margaret's Church stands immediately beside Westminster Abbey and forms an architectural ensemble with the abbey and Parliament in the heart of London. The building follows the Perpendicular Gothic style with tall pointed arch windows and slender buttresses along the outer walls.
History
Benedictine monks built the church in the twelfth century to offer local residents a simpler place for worship. In the sixteenth century the building underwent extensive renewal and received its present form in the Perpendicular Gothic style.
Culture
The church carries the nickname Parliament Church and has served for centuries as a venue for weddings of members of Parliament and notable figures. The stained glass windows depict scenes from the lives of saints and commemorate a royal engagement from the early sixteenth century.
Practical
The interior is accessible during opening hours, which are shorter than those of the neighboring abbey. It is best to visit the church outside service times to explore it at leisure.
Did you know?
Since 1614 the church has been officially assigned to the House of Commons and is still used today for ceremonies involving members of Parliament. Its location between Parliament and the abbey makes it an often overlooked building despite its central role.
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