St Margaret's Church, Essex

St Margaret's Church in Stanford Rivers, Essex, is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit if ever passing by this are, near the English Capital.  

The church is one of the oldest in Essex, dating from the twelfth century, 1150 A.D to be precise., built in the Norman style with walls of flint and rubble. The chancel was rebuilt in the 14th century and the bay roof of the nave dates back to the 15th century. The interior of the church building is very light, whilst five original Norman windows are still found to this day.

A question many ask is to which St. Margaret is this church dedicated to? Although having a picture of St. Margaret of Scotland in a stained glass window, who had not been canonised when the church had begun, it is hence dedicated to St. Margaret of Antioch. However the church continues to hedge its bets by revering both ladies. 

The church is now part of a wider benefice including the ancient Saxon Church of Greensted.

I would like to thank Fr. Andrei Petrine, the parish priest of this church, together with another 3 within his community, for taking the time to show me St Margaret's and St Andrew's Churches. (I will refer to the latter one soon).