St. Margaret of Antioch, Barking

St Margaret of Antioch is a lively parish church in the heart of Barking. The area has a rich history. The great Barking Abbey dating from 666AD, established Barking as an early centre of the Christian faith. After William the Conqueror's coronation, a large scale riot forced the king and his closest followers to flee to Barking, making it the first Norman capital of England - albeit for a few months. The fishing industry grew with the town, making Barking home to one of the most important fishing fleets in the country. St Margaret's itself dates from 1215 and is noted for the marriage of Captain James Cook on 21st December 1762 and the burial place of Sir Crisp Gascoyne, Mayor of the City of London. Short guided tours can be arranged through the parish office. Why not top off your visit with a warm drink and a slice of cake in the Refectory? We are a short walk from Barking Station, which can be reached via the London Underground's District and Hammersmith & City Lines, the London Overground and the C2C.