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For its size, this church is an unusually impressive example of Norman architecture, although from the outside this is hidden by the later improvements from the 15th century.
The church owes its prominence to the fact that it was the successor to an important Saxon period church, nothing of which survives, but which was related to the bishop's palace of the Archbishop of York, known as Athelstan's Palace, which was located adjacent to the churchyard.
The Norman church, built between about 1100 and 1120, consisted of a nave with north and south aisles, a small apsidal chancel and west tower. The aisle arcades remain, together with the outer wall of the north aisle and the lower two stages of the tower. The aisles extended partly past the tower, with arches into them as well as into the nave. The current chancel was added in the 13th century, although the lancet windows date from 19th century restoration, replacing the 15th century insertions. The south aisle was rebuilt, slightly wider, in the 15th century, the clerestorey being added at this time as well. The final addition to the layout of the church was an unusual chapel in the angle of the porch and south aisle, with access from the porch, not the church. The precise date of this has not been established, but it is most likely 17th century. Externally a noticeable feature is the heavy buttresses supporting the tower. This were added in the 19th century when the tower was considered likely to collapse. The two internal piers to the tower were similarly buttressed.
Inside, the fine Norman arcades make an immediate impact. They consist of four arches with large cylindrical columns. The capitals vary in design, but unusually match each other across the nave. The styling appears to derive from Durham, via Selby Abbey. The arches have relatively plain roll mouldings, with an outer label on the nave side only of hyphenated semicircles.
The perpendicular style south aisle has a fine 5 light window at the east end, where the Steeton chapel is located. Within this are the two halves of a rare 15th century Janus cross. (This is a cross which is carved with crucifixes on both sides. It has an unusual hisory in having at some point been sawn in two following a dispute between the vicar and the churchwardens. One half was taken to Steeton Hall, but returned to the church towards the end of the 19th century.
Also of note internally is the unusually shaped ogee window between the south aisle and the later chapel.
Much of the information is derived from the excellent guide book produced by the church.
The church is Listed Grade I Link
A detailed description of the Norman period work can be found here Link

Created: Fri, 3 Jan 2025, Updated: Fri, 3 Jan 2025