The Church of St Margaret of Antioch - (formerly listed as the Church of St. Margaret) is pictured below as it is today.
The church is said to date from the 13th century but was rebuilt in the early 17th century – a date stone showing 1629 can be found on the chancel. This reconstruction was reportedly financed by four local vicars who were so conscience-stricken by the dilapidated state of the building that they each donated £100 to fund the work.
Details from these early days are naturally scarce, but surviving notes provide an intriguing glimpse into some of the more mundane day-to-day matters, revealing that the issues faced then were not so different from those of today.
A survey conducted in 1611, before the rebuilding of 1629, commented on the Chancel: "The chancel is unpaved. One window is broken in the glass. There is but one seat in the chancel, and that has not been boarded for about 15 years, since the parishioners took advantage of the other seats to make a seat for the minister."
Regarding the church itself, the survey noted: "It rains into the church. The churchyard mounds are out of repair. The roof is in disrepair. Ivy grows into it all over. Two windows are daubed up and the third is cracked in the top of the stonework."
Presumably, these issues were addressed in the 1629 rebuild. However, just a few years later, in 1637, another survey noted further concerns: "The chancel needs painting and whitewashing. The roof of the church, belonging to Robert Hurst, has defective slates and needs whitewashing. Mr. Andrews' seat is higher than ordinary. Mr. Bristowe's seat on the south side is also higher than ordinary. Erasmus Paraphrase and a table for marriage writing are lacking. The seat on the north side of the church, next to Mr. Andrews, needs to be set up again, belonging to Mr. Nipping, Jacob Allen, and Thomas Waples, ensuring it is made lower. A book for strange preachers is also lacking."
Despite the sketchy and incomplete nature of these notes, they provide a glimpse into the church's existence in the 17th century, including the personalized seating arrangements for individual churchgoers. The Erasmus Paraphrase mentioned refers to a Latin rewriting of the Gospels by Erasmus, completed between 1517-1524.
Historically, the church in Denton was originally a chapelry, said in 1535 to be annexed to Yardley Hastings. The church registers date from 1540, and the earliest church plate is a cup from 1570. By the 18th century, and likely earlier, it served as a chapel to Yardley Hastings and Whiston, both under the patronage of the Earl of Northampton. The rectors from these parishes alternated their duties annually and shared the tithes collected from the local populace. In the 19th century, glebe farms totaling 140 and 64 acres respectively were held for the benefit of these two rectors.
In 1892, Denton became a separate benefice and was established as a vicarage still in the patronage of the Lord of the Manor.
A significant rebuilding occurred in 1827-1828 by Charles Squirhill (1769-1838), a Northampton architect and land surveyor, due to the church being deemed "in a very decayed and dangerous state," according to a faculty dated April 20, 1827. The repairs focused on the chancel and tower, with the vestry likely erected during this period or shortly thereafter. The repairs cost £700, with contributions from the Marquis of Northampton, the Enlargement of Churches and Chapels fund, and parishioners. Despite the substantial costs involved, this was a considerable sum for the village population, which was around 500 at the time, equating to about £3-£4 per household, a significant amount in those days. The accuracy of these financial records may be questionable.
Photographs of the church before the advent of photography are understandably rare, but a sketch from around 1820 offers an idea of its appearance prior to the 1827 rebuilding.
The state of disrepair was such that funerals were conducted elsewhere prior to 1827, with coffins transported along a Coffin Path, which still exists today as a footpath running from the alleyway in Main Street by Robinson's Cottage straight to Brafield Church. Even during the Second World War, this tradition continued, albeit without the original necessity.
The church reopened for worship on September 25, 1828, with an inscription above the North doorway commemorating the repairs, although this inscription is no longer visible, likely due to subsequent replastering of the church walls before the mural scheme commenced. Nearly a century later, another major rebuilding would take place (see below). However, a significant internal refurbishment occurred in 1896, extensively reported in the Northampton Mercury newspaper:
"April 1896 – Reopening of Denton Church: Thursday marked a momentous day in the history of Denton Church as it reopened after a comprehensive restoration and renovation of the interior. The church, dedicated to St. Margaret and with registers dating back to the 16th century, had not undergone thorough restoration since 1828. Parishioners recently decided on a host of improvements and alterations, all successfully implemented, significantly enhancing the church's appearance. The Marquis of Northampton, the patron, took a keen interest in the alterations, while parishioners also contributed to the work. Old-fashioned square pews were replaced, seats re-arranged, and the stove moved from over the sanctuary aisles to the side. The pulpit on the south side was removed, leaving only the one on the north side. The sanctuary floor was relayed with concrete blocks, and a new altar table donated by the Marquis of Northampton was installed. New sanctuary rails, standards, and altar cloth were also provided. The organ, formerly in the south aisle near the chancel, was relocated to the gallery. The entire cost of these improvements, which greatly enhanced the church, amounted to about £80."
The reopening service took place at three o'clock, with a sermon delivered by the Bishop of Leicester (the Venerable Archdeacon Thicknesse). Several clergy members were present, and the Bishop consecrated a new portion of the cemetery. The generosity of the Marquis towards the church he patronized is evident in this account, as is the support from surrounding clergy.
The church's organ, situated in the gallery, was built by Mr. J. T. Austin, a respected organ builder who learned his trade from his father in Rushden. It was purchased by the church in 1866 for £80, having previously been located near Wollaston. Some of the organ pipes are thought to date back to the 17th century, possibly recycled from an earlier organ. The organ required repairs in 1955 but continues to be used regularly at church services.
The cast-iron corner pinnacles on the tower date back to the 18th century and are a notable feature, as are the white doves that have become a regular presence around the church.
The South doorway, likely original from the 13th century, features a six-paneled door. It includes a stepped porch and stone-carved head corbels at the porch entrance, one of which is depicted on the right.
Among the oldest features of the church is the font, likely from the 13th century and situated at the west end of the nave under the gallery. It has a chalice-shaped bowl mounted on a perpendicular pedestal, lined with lead and painted entirely in grey for unknown reasons. The bowl is adorned wit a row of eight large crosses in relief with stepped bases and tops, their arms connected, leaving two rows of square, depressed fields.
The church itself is constructed of coursed squared limestone and ironstone, with a slate roof.