The first St Margaret, Lee dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch was mentioned in about 1120. The early Church Tower 1275 (Grade ii* listed) still stands.

By 1799 it had deteriorated badly and was replaced in 1813 by Joseph Gwilt. Sadly this did not last and the current church was built in 1839/41 by James Brown of Norwich.

In 1873 a new rector Frederick Law and his wife Lady Adelaide, a daughter of the 3rd Marquis of Londonderry arrived. They were interested in the Oxford Movement, Pugin and Gothic revivalism. Together with their architect James Brooks, and the help of the best craftsmen of the day they proceeded to enlarge and embellish the Church. (Grade ii* listed.)

They enlarged the Church by adding a Chancel, a Lady Chapel and an Organ Loft. The main decorations – stained glass, maroulflage paintings and stencilling were the work of Clayton and Bell under the direction of James Brooks.

The reredos was painted by Nathanial Westlake and surrounded in marble and alabaster work by Thomas Earp, who also decorated the Lady Chapel walls. The woodwork between the Chancel and the Lady Chapel, (including four little angels) was the work of De Wispelaere et Fils from Belgium. The tiling was by Minton and Minton Campbell. The Wrought Iron work was by Cox and Buckley and the lectern by Thomas Thomason, both students of Francis Skidmore.

We have a Boer War Memorial which commemorates the deaths of men associated with the Blackheath Proprietary School.

There are two WWI memorials. The High Altar was carved by Violet Pinwill from Devon whose figures of Christ and St Margaret were replicated in larger form in Truro Cathedral. She also carved a memorial for 32 local men which, at the moment, is in the Lady Chapel. We do have some information about their lives.

The North windows replace those that were lost in WWII. They were designed and installed by the studios of AK Nicholson. They record events from the history of Christianity in Britain. They include a "Magna Carta" window.

There was a huge restoration the 1980s and 90s after the devastations of wartime and neglect. This included the lift and ramps and the modernisation of the crypt for modern use.

Today the Church provides an inspiring setting for Christian Worship and, with its crypt, a venue for concerts, lectures, and many outreach activities.

click here for more information about St Margarets Church Lee

https://www.stmargaretslee.org.uk/page/?title=Open+House+Church+Tour&pid=76