OUR BUILDING

A virtual tour showing some of the detail mentioned here is now avaliable.

The Church building is widely regarded as one of the finest in the city. It was designed by Dr. Peter McGregor Chalmers and is a 'classic' of the Romanesque Revival so favoured by the Edwardians. Technically a 'German Double Ender' - a Basilica with a double Apse - it is quite glorious in size, grace, and simple beauty. It was erected specifically for Worship that gave glory to God - but the very building itself proclaims the Good News of the Gospel, and gives praise to His Holy Name.

The windows in the Sanctuary tell the story of our Salvation, depicting the Incarnation, Crucifixion and Resurrection, while the Apse above the Altar proclaims the Eternal Sovereignty of Christ, and depicts Christ in Glory, sitting on a Throne, over a Rainbow, surrounded by the four Evangelists, the Seraphim, and all the Heavenly Host.

The text, which runs around the base of the Apse, is from the Preface to the Eucharistic Liturgy and reads "Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and all the Company of Heaven, we Laud and Magnify Thy Glorious Name". The panels of either side of the glorified Lord depict four Archangels: Michael, Captain of the Heavenly Host, and Gabriel, the Messenger of Peace and the Annunciation. On either side of them stand Raphael, the Protector of Pilgrims and Travellers, and Uriel holding the Sun, symbol of the Light of God.

At the West End stands the Font, based on the original sculpture by Thorvalsen. It is an Angel bearing a scallop shell - the symbol of pilgrimage. Above, are three exquisite windows - at the centre immediately above the Font, the Baptism of Christ, to the left the Annunciation, to the right Christ blessing the little children. In the Apse the Descent of the Spirit is portrayed in mosaic tiles.

The windows in the Lady Chapel tell the story of Margaret our Patron, while the windows of the Nave tell of the life of Christ and His Saints.

All the decorative work in the Church - the windows, the mosaics, and the carvings, have their inspiration in Sacred Scripture, in Christian Tradition, or in the Life of Margaret, and have been executed by the finest artists and craftsmen that could be obtained.

It is generally agreed that the building fulfils its original function - that it makes a very fitting House of Prayer, that it gives Glory to God, and that it inspires and encourages those who worship within its walls, to put their trust in God and His love for all the World.