St. Margaret's Church, Durham

St Margaret's Church was founded in the 12th century as a Chapel of Ease (backup church) in the parish of Saint Oswald in Durham. Those parishioners who found it too difficult to attend Saint Oswalds could congregate at Saint Margaret's. The full name of the Church is Saint Margaret of Antioch. It is at Crossgate, within view of Durham Cathedral. The land of Saint Margaret's was not consecrated as a burial ground until 1431.

It is thought that Nave, South Aisle, and Chancel date from 1150. A North Aisle and North Nave, built in the Norman style, were added by the end of the 12th century. Two Norman windows survived from that time, one in the Chancel and one in the South Nave. The Lady Chapel dates from the 15th century. Before that date, another chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary stood on the site.

The church has quite a several memorial plaques and a pipe organ. A striking and unusual 20th-century statue of the Madonna and Child by art teacher Brian Scraton adorns a niche in a 12th-century column. The church tower contains three bells, two medieval and one from the 16th century.

Saint Margaret Church is one of the oldest churches in the City of Durham. The religious edifice is a Grade II listed building on the National Heritage List for England.