England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Lowestoft St Margaret

The Parish

The parish of Lowestoft lies in the extreme northeast of Suffolk forming part of the county's North Sea coastline, indeed it is the most easterly in England with Lowestoft Ness being the first spot to see the sun rise. Lowestoft is located roughly 45 miles northeast of the county town of Ipswich and stands where the A47 road from Great Yarmouth meets the A12 arriving from Ipswich. Lowestoft is both a port and the regional market town for this area of northern Suffolk and adjacent Norfolk. It's growth has risen from what is described in early gazetteers as "one well-paved street, nearly a mile in length, and of several small ones, which diverge from it obliquely" to a substantial urban area engulfing the neighbouring parishes of Gunton, Oulton, Carlton Colville, Kirkley and Pakefield and stretching for over 3 miles of Suffolk's coastline as well as inland until constrained by the marshlands of the Broads. Lowestoft's growth came from its port, one of the major fishing ports of England's east coast, initially from the beach and eventually from the 19th century harbour, and specialising in the Mackerel & Herring shoals which once were prolific in the North Sea. Even today with catches much reduced its fish market remains important. In addition to the catching and processing of fish the town had breweries, rope and twine manufacturies and some ship-building as well as being the centre for trade and specialist skills. The boom in seaside towns also impacted Lowestoft with its south beach accommodating extensive sandy beaches as well as Claremont Pier and has become a weekend and longer stay resort. The cutting of channels through to the course of the River Waveney through Lake Lothing has also enabled Lowestoft to partake of the wider Broads cruising trade. The town centre suffered majorly from enemy assault during both World Wars so little historic remains in a centre modernised as a consequence, a fact bemoaned by Pevsner. Modern developments arrived in 1847 with lines eventually arriving from both Ipswich & Norwich both fueling the resort's growth, further lines north to Great Yarmouth have closed and been dismantled. As a coastal town water usually makes its way into Lake Lothing or directly into the North Sea through various channels and sub-surface drainage routes. Lowestoft is sited between sea level and 30 metres, the church sitting atop one of these low hills, in this generally flattish terrain that is the highest ground for many miles. Lowestoft parish was typically sized for the area covering just under 1,500 and supporting a population of close to 4,600 parishioners. In Domesday times Lowestoft was a much smaller place held directly by King William and populated by just 16 households, its assets of 5 ploughs backed by small meadows and woodlands make no mention of the fishing trade.

The Church

St Margaret's church sits to the northwest of the main centre of the town by over a half mile sitting amongst modern developments in the suburbs and accessed usually from Hollingsworth Road. The church's dimensions reflect its status as a major town church being 182 feet in length with its western tower rising 120 feet in height conspicuously seen from all around. Despite there being a church here from early times much of the church is later, the tower is the earliest part remaining carrying a date of c1300 which places it into the brief Transitional era between Early English Gothic and Decorated styles. The main body of the church is a classic example of late Perpendicular styling having been completed at the end of the 15th century, the nave and chancel are flanked by aisles of 7-bays whilst the eastern end is graced by a mighty 5-light window. Beneath the chancel is evidence of an earlier church in the form of crypt, tentatively dated to the 14th century. Like most churches work in Victorian times was extensive, a general restoration of 1871 carried out various works including rebuilding of the southern aisle, removal of a western gallery and re-seating of the nave. In the 1890s the roofs were restored and today's angels and shields added. Work continued through the 20th century culminating in the replacement of the tower's recessed spire in 1954 following war damage. From Holdworth Road a surfaced lane leads to extensive area of parking by the church hall allowing an extended visit, whilst the church sits within an extensive churchyard it is made tricky for the photographer by the many irregularly placed trees with few points with encompassing views, the photographer needs to try many before being satisfied.