In about 1133 the Austin Canons built Holy Trinity Priory on what is now Christchurch Mansion.  

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The growth of the congregation forced the canons to build a new church next door (in about 1300).  This was dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch, a saint popularised by returning crusaders.

 

St Margaret’s became the largest parish in Ipswich and in about 1495 members of its congregation led by the Halle family were wealthy enough to fund the building of a double hammer beam roof to increase the nave height and fit a fine row of clerestory windows.  The initials and trademarks of these benefactors may be seen amongst the 130 roof and window carvings.

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The closure of Holy Trinity and all monastic houses in England in 1536 and the rejection of Papal supremacy left St Margaret’s as an individual parish church within the structure of the emerging Church of England. Its internal lay-out and fixtures over the next hundred years came to reflect the Protestant practice of that church.

 

The accession of William III and Mary in 1688 was seen as a guarantee of the continuance of this English Protestant church and prominent parishioners celebrated this by commissioning the painting of the magnificent ceiling panels.

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The 17th century also saw the coming of the first of the bells which are still working in the tower today.

St Margaret’s church’s interior has evolved over the centuries with extensions to the core building of the church, new windows, organs, seating and other areas.  However, it is still essentially a medieval church building and continues to provide spiritual comfort to the people of Ipswich; the reason for its original foundation.