The Parish Church of St Margaret, Leiston-with-Sizewell
History and Treasures.
People have worshipped in Leiston for a thousand years. We know this because in the Domesday Survey of 1086 Leiston had no less than three parish churches. One of these was probably the ancient chapel at Sizewell – long since disappeared. The list of vicars is complete from 1182 when the Abbey was founded by Sir Ranulf de Glanvil. The original Abbey was built on the lonely Minsmere marshes and it’s ruins can still be seen close to the footpath near Minsmere sluice. The Abbey was rebuilt in 1363 on it’s present site and along with other religious communities was suppressed in 1536. The patronage of the living of Leiston passed during the sixteenth century to Nicholas de Cryol and to Robert de Ufford. It was later acquired by the Company of Haberdashers who are the present patrons.
The church is one of 20 mediaeval Suffolk Churches dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch who was martyred for her faith during the emperor Diocletion’s persecution of the Christians in the fourth century. Many legends have grown up around her and she became a very popular saint during the late Middle Ages. Today, as then, she is regarded as the patron saint of childbirth. Her emblem is a cross penetrating the open mouth of a dragon - symbolising her triumph over Satan and the forces of evil.
All churches bear the scars and evidence of change experienced over the many years of their existence but Leiston’s church has been altered more drastically than most. It’s story has been influenced by the rich history and traditions of the English Church, by the nearby Abbey Church, by some important Leiston families and by the Clergy who, over the years, have cared for the building and it’s people.
However, the biggest influence on the church in Leiston is linked with the growth of the town due to the presence of the Garretts. So much so that by the mid nineteenth century the old church could no longer cope with the huge increase in numbers of worshippers. Between 1730 and 1870 Leiston’s population rose from 820 to 2250. It rose to 3260 in 1901 and in 1921 to 4630. Coupled with this was the presence of a remarkable vicar – The Reverend John Calvert Blathwayt. His strict evangelical style was attracting large congregations to hear his gospel preaching. All of this meant one thing. The Church needed to be enlarged to accommodate at least 800 people. It was decided in 1853 to rebuild the church and the architect appointed for the job was Edwin Buckton Lamb. Only the tower (1360) and the font were to be retained from the original mediaeval church together with a number of tablets and memorials.
The new church was built in the style of the Gothic revival and is an outstanding example. The trend at this time was to promote the building and restoration of churches on pre-Reformation lines restoring High Church principles and sacramental worship in the Church of England. The work to rebuild the Church commenced in April 1853 and was finished in August 1854. Great celebrations took place on August 31st for the grand re-opening of the Church. It was a Saturday and the whole town was decorated with garlanded triumphal arches adorned with appropriate mottoes. Garrett’s factory had a handsome double arch of evergreens and flowers. A dinner of roast beef and plum pudding was provided for the poor, the aged and the children. Afterwards the townsfolk walked in procession to Leiston Old Abbey where the Hon. Miss Thellusson provided tea and amusements for everyone. Unfortunately the vicar was unable to attend the official opening service due to ill health but the Church was blessed by none other than the Bishop of London. The Church was crowded to excess that day and the collection amounted to £77. 2s. 4d. A very large amount of money for those days.
The celebrations were tempered by financial problems. The architect had seriously underestimated the cost of rebuilding. The original budget for the entire project was £2500 and to keep the costs down several local farmers agreed to cart building materials to the site and dispose of rubble and soil. Unfortunately they failed to keep their promise adding a further £32 to the building cost. Furthermore there were problems with the building itself; the roof leaked badly and the building was draughty and inadequately heated. By 1871 the church roof was in such an unsatisfactory state that it needed completed retiling on the outside and close boarding on the inside. The cost of the work was £176 of which Messrs Garretts firm contributed £100 and Mrs Garrett of Carlton Hall gave £50.
1874 saw the death of Reverend Blathwayt who had guided the parish for 37 years through the great re-building programme. It marked the end of an era at St Margaret's because, although his successor was his nephew, he was a man of a very different tradition. Berney Wodehouse Raven was to steer St Margaret's along new channels.
Some important features of the church building include the Rope window. Located in the North transept this depicts various biblical scenes from St Matthew and St Luke. It was designed and made by Margaret Rope and dedicated to her parents Arthur and Agnes Rope. Arthur was churchwarden for over 40 years. The East window is a superb example of the work of Charles Earnest Kempe – one of the finest stained glassmakers at the turn of the century. It is a memorial to Anne Garrett who died in 1897 and is full of female saints. The interesting thing is that the faces of each one of the saints is a representation of Anne Garrett at different stages of her life.
There is a very fine memorial bust of Richard Garrett III (died 1866) carved by Thomas Thurlow of Saxmundham and a memorial plaque to Stephen Garrett (who died at Neuve Chappelle in 1915)
St Margaret’s today.
The present custodians of the church continue to lavish love and care on the building and to make sure that this House of God welcomes all who wish to enter it. The rich history of St Margaret's shows us clearly that our predecessors were prepared to accept change to accommodate both physical needs and alternative forms of worship. As we take our first steps into a new century and millennium St Margaret's is looking at new ways of making worship relevant to todays society. This will involve creating a warm, comfortable and inviting interior which will be well lit and useful. We would not accept cold draughty and gloomy conditions in our homes so why should we accept them in our church? It is an exciting project which has the backing of the P.C.C. and the vicar. Through this project we will continue the tradition of flexibility and openness to change by the people of Leiston’s past.
Above all, St Margaret's is a house of prayer and is used every day for that purpose. We welcome you to join us in worship throughout the year.
Simon Merrett. Churchwarden 2003.
Aknowledgements:
St Margaret's Church – History and Guide - Roy Tricker 1990.
Garrett 200 – R.A. Whitehead - 1978
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