St Margaret's Church, High Bentham

St Margaret's Church is a Gothic Revival building made of stone with slate roofing and a distinctive tower topped with octagonal turrets and a crenellated parapet. Extensions added between 1901 and 1902 included a new chancel and transepts that define its current form.

The building was constructed in 1837 as a church and later converted to residential use in the mid-20th century. Austin and Paley architects played a major role in shaping it through significant renovations around 1900.

The church's name honors Saint Margaret, a patron saint common in English places of worship. You can still see how the layout with its chancel and transepts shaped the way worshippers gathered in this space.

The building is now private residences and not open to visitors, but you can view its exterior from the street. Its Grade II listing protects its architectural features from unsuitable alterations.

A pipe organ built in 1893 was substantially rebuilt by Henry Ainscough in 1937 and shows the musical importance the building once held for its community. Though the congregation has moved on, this instrument remains a tangible link to the church's past.

Location: Bentham

Inception: 1902

Architects: Sharpe, Paley and Austin

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Website: http://benthamchurches.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 54.11460,-2.50820

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:00