Church of St Margaret, Bowers Gifford (EHER 7077)

Church of the mid 14th century, with the bell stage added early 16th century, and the main restoration in 1910. It is coursed ashlar with some flint and brick, and slate roofs. The plan comprises the western steeple, nave with north vestry, and chancel with north organ chamber.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 7077, 7078, 7079, and 26743. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: St Margaret's Church [NAT]. <1> The church has ragstone rubble walls which contain some flint and Roman brick. The dressings are of Reigate stone, the roofs are slate covered. The whole church, including chancel, nave and west tower, was rebuilt in the early 16th century except the nave south wall which is thicker than the other walls and is uncertain in date. The church has been restored. The chancel has no early features and is structurally undivided from the nave. Features and fittings: early 16th century windows and doorways; the tower has a boarded timber superstructure and low octagonal spire; two inscribed bells, one 14th century, the other of about 1400; a brass of about 1340 (no head), ascribed with insufficient evidence to Sir John Gifford, 1348; an early 16th century door in the south doorway; early 16th century font; 15th century piscina. The church was restored in 'modern' times according to RCHM. The font cover has an old finial with painted ornament, 16th or 17th century in date. The chancel screen is 'modern'. <2> <3> The church was restored in the 19th century, the south porch being added at this time. <4> The charm of the church is the huge diagonal buttress propping the small west tower at the south-west corner only, and the asymmetrically placed west windows of the tower. <5> Church of St Margaret. An earlier church, probably of the 11th century stood on the site and was replaced in the early 16th century by the present building. Some of the original church may survive in the fabric of the nave. Restored in the 19th century. Grade B. <6> Church of the mid 14th century, bell stage added early 16th century, main restoration about 1910. Coursed ashlar with some flint and brick; slate roofs. Plan: west steeple, nave with north vestry, chancel with north organ chamber. <7> See also: <8>