The Photographs
These
shows the church
in a state of total dereliction as it was from 1917 - 1937.
Why it was allowed to deteriorate to this degree - roof-lead hanging down
the walls, north wall propped up with wooden buttresses, and an elder tree
growing where the altar now stands - is not entirely clear.
Local legend has it that it was the result of the vicar and the congregation falling out. He wanted to introduce high church practices - smells and bells. They said, 'If you do, we won't come.' He did. They didn't. And the result you see in the photographs.
St Margaret's in her derelict
state
Photo courtesy of Luton News
Be
that as it may be (or may not have been), in 1937-38 the church was
restored, partly as a memorial to Archdeacon Parnell who had restored many
Bedfordshire village churches, and partly for the explicit purpose of
serving the newly developing area of Warden Hill.
October
1938: the Bishop of St Albans, Dr Michael Furse, reopens St Margaret's
Photo courtesy of Luton News
Today, our church is very much one that has been born again, and to those who remember it back in those dark days it is a real joy to see it not only open again but thriving.
St Margaret's
- today
Sunlight shining through the roof
The church, in even worse condition than the picture above-left
The north side of the church, showing the wall
about to fall down
Parishioners
queue to enter the church as it reopens
Photo courtesy of Luton News