History

The church was commissioned by George Harry Grey 7th Earl of Stamford.

The architect was William Hayley. The building was dedicated in memory of Grey’s sister Margaret and construction began in 1851. The building was dedicated in memory of Grey’s sister Margaret and construction began in 1851. Building was completed in 1855. The church recently celebrated it’s 150th Anniversary.

The church is in perpendicular style, brick built with Yorkshire wall stone facings. It was extended in 1923 to the west but never finished, hence bare brickwork. The interior is impressive, a hammer beam roof with carved angels (modelled on Westminster Hall in London), a huge reredos modelled on the Henry V11 chapel in Westminster and elegant plaster sanctuary ceiling providing the most notable features. The tower has a peal of ten bells cast in 1854 by John Taylor.

The clergy at St Margaret’s have included some characters of note. Rev Hewlett Johnson, who later became the ‘Red Dean’ of Canterbury, the famous First World War Padre ‘Woodbine Willie’ or Rev Studdart Kennedy has preached regularly here.

The final Earl of Stamford Roger Grey was a friend of the Emporer of Ethiopia Haille Selassie. The Emporer worshipped here on his visits to the hall at Dunham.

The Vicarage also provided a convalescent home for Menlove Edwards one of the pioneers of Welsh rock climbing.