St Margaret's, Luddington in the Brook

St Margaret's is a small church in a small village. It is remarkable though for the number, and quality, of some of the best gargoyles and grotesque seen in the area. A couple of strange winged creatures, with tongues stuck out in medieval gesture of insult 'welcome' the faithful entering through the south porch. Close by a ferocious dog with fangs exposed, looks on menacingly. A human form in torment sits below a depressed looking monk with an owl like thing with feathers close by. Some really lovely carvings here with repair evident on several, especially the monk, if that is what he is, half way down the page on the left. Close inspection shows that his entire bottom half has been replaced at some time in the past.    The church of St Margaret is for the most part 15th century, replacing an earlier church which dated from the 13th century. Much restoration here was undertaken in 1874. The spire dates from this time, and is a copy of a spire destroyed many years before. The chancel was restored by the eminent Victorian architect Richard Herbert Carpenter (1841–1893).  There are two bells in the tower, both dated 1710, and made by prolific Peterborough bell founder Henry Penn. See http://www.robschurches.moonfruit.com/#/luddington/4522863535 for further details

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