At the south-east angle of , stands this church, it received its name from its dedication to St. Margaret, virgin, and martyr, and its situation, which at the time of its foundation was a lane, occupied only by makers and dealers in pattens. This lane was, however, afterwards called , on account of a rood, or cross, set up in the church yard of St. Margaret. When this church was pulled down to be re-built, this cross or rood was blessed in a particular manner, and privileged by the pope

The original foundation of this church was in, or before the year ; for the rector upon record is Hamo de Chyrch, presented by lady Margaret de Nevil, on the , in that year. And the patronage thereof remained in the family of the Nevils till the year , when it probably came to Robert Rikeden, of Essex, and Margaret his wife; who, in , conveyed it (with the advowson of , , and the manor of Leadenhall,) to Richard Whittington, who, in , confirmed the whole to the mayor and commonalty of London; in whom the right of presentation has ever since remained.

The present building like the majority of churches in the metropolis, is partly concealed by houses, the west and southern fronts being the only parts that are not hid; the former ranges with the houses on the east side of , the latter i separated from by a paved court.

The tower and spire, which rise to the height of feet, are situated at the north-west angle of the building; they are not remarkable for ornaments, being almost plain, but the proportions are excellent; the design borrowed from the pointed style, closely resembles the steeples of our ancient churches. The tower is in stories, the lower contains an arched and a circular window, and the succeeding circular windows, in the western front, the story has a lintelled window filled with weather boarding in each face; the whole is finished with a ballustraded parapet and at the angles are pinnacles. The spire is octangular and covered with lead; it has openings at intervals, and finishes with a vane.

In that portion of the western front, not yet described, is an entrance. Above it a large arched window, over which is a festoon: and on each side is a smaller window of the same form, surmounted by a circular , the elevation finishes with a cornice and pediment, having a circular opening in the tympanum; the south front, or at least that part which is visible, has an entrance, with a circular window above it; and another window lofty and arched at the head, also surmounted by a circular ; the elevation finishes with a cornice and parapet. The whole is substantially and plainly built, the ashlaring of Portland stone. The interior is very handsome, it consists of a body, with an aisle at the north side, which some, what interferes with the uniformity of the design; it is entered through a vestibule in which is the font, a handsome

The aisle is separated from the rest of the church by Corinthian columns, which sustain an architrave. The ceiling is arched at the sides and horizontal in the centre; it springs from the columns on side, and pilasters attached to the walls at the other parts of the building; it is pierced laterally with circular windows in the arches. The east end has divisions; the central is recessed and contains the altar-piece, adorned with carvings by Gibbons, to whom is also to be attributed the execution of the elegant font. In the centre of the screen is a small painting of the

Agony in the garden.

In this church are several handsome monuments, but there is nothing particularly curious in the inscriptions; of the handsomest is in the north aisle; it is by Rysback, of a square form, with a pediment, on the apex of which is an urn, and on each side a naked boy; holding an inverted torch, the other a serpent in a circle, the emblem of eternity. It is to the memory of sir P. Delme, lord mayor, , died , aged .