St Margaret's at Stoke Golding is one of Leicestershire's finest examples of a medieval parish church, an impressive building little altered since it was rebuilt in the first half of the 14th century. What makes it special is the detail, clearly more care and funding was expended than is normal for a village church, and while the elaborate exterior makes this fact clear, the interior reinforces it.

The church is well proportioned with a fine tower and spire at the west end and a nave and chancel that form one long vessel with little structural break. There is a single aisle on the south side only which is of equal size and length to the main vessel and thus the church appears as if it has two naves, an impression all the more acute within where a single arcade divides the space into equal halves. The church is generously fenestrated throughout, with many fine traceried windows punctuating the walls.

Within the ample provision of windows and the fact that all are plain-glazed makes the interior refreshingly light, the south aisle naturally more so but it holds our attention for another reason. The arcade that divides the church is an impressive example of 14th century craftsmanship, richly molded with ornate carved capitals of a type more commonly seen in far higher status churches. The carvings are a little worn with time but still communicate a wonderful sense of richness so rare in a village church. The font in the south aisle is of the same period and also worthy of study for its carved reliefs on four sides, including the image of St Margaret, the church's patron saint.

This was my second visit here, my first having been a childhood trip in the mid 1980s (after visiting one of my mum's cousins who lives in a neighbouring village). Back then I recall the church looked a little worse for wear and we had to seek out a keyholder to get inside. Nowadays the church is looking much healthier and well cared for, and happily seems to be open and welcoming to visitors on a more regular basis.
britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101074214-church-of-st-marga...

Tags:   Stoke Golding church Leicestershire medieval Gothic architecture

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St Margaret's at Stoke Golding is one of Leicestershire's finest examples of a medieval parish church, an impressive building little altered since it was rebuilt in the first half of the 14th century. What makes it special is the detail, clearly more care and funding was expended than is normal for a village church, and while the elaborate exterior makes this fact clear, the interior reinforces it.

The church is well proportioned with a fine tower and spire at the west end and a nave and chancel that form one long vessel with little structural break. There is a single aisle on the south side only which is of equal size and length to the main vessel and thus the church appears as if it has two naves, an impression all the more acute within where a single arcade divides the space into equal halves. The church is generously fenestrated throughout, with many fine traceried windows punctuating the walls.

Within the ample provision of windows and the fact that all are plain-glazed makes the interior refreshingly light, the south aisle naturally more so but it holds our attention for another reason. The arcade that divides the church is an impressive example of 14th century craftsmanship, richly molded with ornate carved capitals of a type more commonly seen in far higher status churches. The carvings are a little worn with time but still communicate a wonderful sense of richness so rare in a village church. The font in the south aisle is of the same period and also worthy of study for its carved reliefs on four sides, including the image of St Margaret, the church's patron saint.

This was my second visit here, my first having been a childhood trip in the mid 1980s (after visiting one of my mum's cousins who lives in a neighbouring village). Back then I recall the church looked a little worse for wear and we had to seek out a keyholder to get inside. Nowadays the church is looking much healthier and well cared for, and happily seems to be open and welcoming to visitors on a more regular basis.
britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101074214-church-of-st-marga...

Tags:   Stoke Golding church Leicestershire medieval Gothic architecture

© All Rights Reserved

St Margaret's at Stoke Golding is one of Leicestershire's finest examples of a medieval parish church, an impressive building little altered since it was rebuilt in the first half of the 14th century. What makes it special is the detail, clearly more care and funding was expended than is normal for a village church, and while the elaborate exterior makes this fact clear, the interior reinforces it.

The church is well proportioned with a fine tower and spire at the west end and a nave and chancel that form one long vessel with little structural break. There is a single aisle on the south side only which is of equal size and length to the main vessel and thus the church appears as if it has two naves, an impression all the more acute within where a single arcade divides the space into equal halves. The church is generously fenestrated throughout, with many fine traceried windows punctuating the walls.

Within the ample provision of windows and the fact that all are plain-glazed makes the interior refreshingly light, the south aisle naturally more so but it holds our attention for another reason. The arcade that divides the church is an impressive example of 14th century craftsmanship, richly molded with ornate carved capitals of a type more commonly seen in far higher status churches. The carvings are a little worn with time but still communicate a wonderful sense of richness so rare in a village church. The font in the south aisle is of the same period and also worthy of study for its carved reliefs on four sides, including the image of St Margaret, the church's patron saint.

This was my second visit here, my first having been a childhood trip in the mid 1980s (after visiting one of my mum's cousins who lives in a neighbouring village). Back then I recall the church looked a little worse for wear and we had to seek out a keyholder to get inside. Nowadays the church is looking much healthier and well cared for, and happily seems to be open and welcoming to visitors on a more regular basis.
britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101074214-church-of-st-marga...

Tags:   Stoke Golding church Leicestershire medieval Gothic architecture

© All Rights Reserved

St Margaret's at Stoke Golding is one of Leicestershire's finest examples of a medieval parish church, an impressive building little altered since it was rebuilt in the first half of the 14th century. What makes it special is the detail, clearly more care and funding was expended than is normal for a village church, and while the elaborate exterior makes this fact clear, the interior reinforces it.

The church is well proportioned with a fine tower and spire at the west end and a nave and chancel that form one long vessel with little structural break. There is a single aisle on the south side only which is of equal size and length to the main vessel and thus the church appears as if it has two naves, an impression all the more acute within where a single arcade divides the space into equal halves. The church is generously fenestrated throughout, with many fine traceried windows punctuating the walls.

Within the ample provision of windows and the fact that all are plain-glazed makes the interior refreshingly light, the south aisle naturally more so but it holds our attention for another reason. The arcade that divides the church is an impressive example of 14th century craftsmanship, richly molded with ornate carved capitals of a type more commonly seen in far higher status churches. The carvings are a little worn with time but still communicate a wonderful sense of richness so rare in a village church. The font in the south aisle is of the same period and also worthy of study for its carved reliefs on four sides, including the image of St Margaret, the church's patron saint.

This was my second visit here, my first having been a childhood trip in the mid 1980s (after visiting one of my mum's cousins who lives in a neighbouring village). Back then I recall the church looked a little worse for wear and we had to seek out a keyholder to get inside. Nowadays the church is looking much healthier and well cared for, and happily seems to be open and welcoming to visitors on a more regular basis.
britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101074214-church-of-st-marga...

Tags:   Stoke Golding church Leicestershire medieval Gothic architecture

© All Rights Reserved

St Margaret's at Stoke Golding is one of Leicestershire's finest examples of a medieval parish church, an impressive building little altered since it was rebuilt in the first half of the 14th century. What makes it special is the detail, clearly more care and funding was expended than is normal for a village church, and while the elaborate exterior makes this fact clear, the interior reinforces it.

The church is well proportioned with a fine tower and spire at the west end and a nave and chancel that form one long vessel with little structural break. There is a single aisle on the south side only which is of equal size and length to the main vessel and thus the church appears as if it has two naves, an impression all the more acute within where a single arcade divides the space into equal halves. The church is generously fenestrated throughout, with many fine traceried windows punctuating the walls.

Within the ample provision of windows and the fact that all are plain-glazed makes the interior refreshingly light, the south aisle naturally more so but it holds our attention for another reason. The arcade that divides the church is an impressive example of 14th century craftsmanship, richly molded with ornate carved capitals of a type more commonly seen in far higher status churches. The carvings are a little worn with time but still communicate a wonderful sense of richness so rare in a village church. The font in the south aisle is of the same period and also worthy of study for its carved reliefs on four sides, including the image of St Margaret, the church's patron saint.

This was my second visit here, my first having been a childhood trip in the mid 1980s (after visiting one of my mum's cousins who lives in a neighbouring village). Back then I recall the church looked a little worse for wear and we had to seek out a keyholder to get inside. Nowadays the church is looking much healthier and well cared for, and happily seems to be open and welcoming to visitors on a more regular basis.
britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101074214-church-of-st-marga...

Tags:   Stoke Golding church Leicestershire medieval architecture interior

© All Rights Reserved