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St Margaret's Church, Westminster: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Westminster residents navigate daily security cordons and heavy parliamentary crowds, ducking into St Margaret's for a rare quiet sanctuary on the square.

St Margaret's, Westminster · CC BY-SA 4.0

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About the place

St Margaret's stands on Parliament Square as the parish sanctuary for the House of Commons and neighbouring Westminster residents.

Benedictine monks established the church so local parishioners could worship separately from the monastic community at Westminster Abbey. Dedicated to Margaret of Antioch, the site forms part of the parliamentary World Heritage complex. Armed parishioners later defended the stone structure against the Duke of Somerset, who sought building materials for his own palace.

Read on

Puritans chose the sanctuary for parliamentary worship rather than the formal Abbey, establishing an enduring connection with the House of Commons. John James refaced the exterior in Portland stone and rebuilt the north-west tower, while architect J. L. Pearson added stone entrance porches. During Victorian renovations directed by George Gilbert Scott, investigators examined animal hide affixed to the ancient church doors.

As nearby resident numbers diminished, administrative control transferred directly to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey, ending independent parochial jurisdiction. The subsequent suspension of regular Sunday services and dissolution of the choir prompted public petitions from long-term worshippers, who valued the intimate parish atmosphere over the ceremonial state events conducted next door.

Associations
  • Parliamentary worshipPuritans chose the building for Commons services instead of Westminster Abbey.
  • Portland stoneJohn James encased the exterior walls in pale limestone during tower works.
  • Somerset House salvageArmed parishioners prevented demolition by the Duke of Somerset for his palace.
  • Sunday service cessationRegular congregational services ended without public consultation.
  • World Heritage listingThe church shares protected status with the Abbey and the Palace of Westminster.
Facts
  • The church stands within the grounds of Westminster Abbey on Parliament Square.
  • Benedictine monks founded the parish church to separate local worshippers from the Abbey.
  • The building shares a unified World Heritage Site designation with the Palace of Westminster.
  • Parishioners armed themselves to halt demolition plans initiated by the Duke of Somerset.
  • Ecclesiastical responsibility over the parish transferred to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster.
Source: Wikipedia
St Margaret's Church, Westminster in pictures4 photos · 1 place
Westminster Abbey
Ermell · cc-by-sa-4.0 · Jul 14, 2013
Man vyi · pdm · Nov 16, 2009
F ASTILY · cc-by-sa-3.0 · Jul 3, 2012
F ASTILY · cc-by-sa-3.0 · Jul 3, 2012

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