SK8381 : Church of St Margaret, Marton
taken 7 years ago, near to Marton, Lincolnshire, England
The church was not open at the time of my visit so I had to make do with views through the windows.
Much of the pre-conquest Saxon church of the mid 11th century remains, with refreshingly little interference from the restoration of 1868.
The church consists of aisled nave with chancel, west tower and south porch.
The tower is almost entirely Saxon, with herringbone masonry throughout. The roofline of the original Saxon nave is still clearly visible on the east face, and the tower arch is also of the period. There is also substantial herringbone masonry in the chancel although it has been lengthened and the walls pierced with late 14th century Perpendicular windows. The chancel arch is also possibly original but more likely early Norman
The north arcade is late 12th century Norman period with stiff-leaf decoration to the capitals, the south arcade being later, 13th century Early English with and octagonal pillar with plain capital. The main windows of the south aisle are finely proportioned in Perpendicular style, 15th century, and the porch is from the same period.
In the chancel north wall is a small crucifix, probably of Saxon date, with a pedestal niche for a saint's statue of later origin on the opposite wall.
Other internal fitments are Victorian or later.
The church is Listed Grade I.
In the churchyard are the substantial remains of a medieval cross, probably 14th century, adapted in the early 20th century to form a war memorial, Listed Grade II for group value.