This is a church best admired from the outside. The inside is disappointing in comparison.
Set above the village with views across the Vale of pickering, this is an attractive church which escaped Victorian restoration. It has a very plain square Saxon tower with the characteristic double windows. The top with low pointed roof was added by the Normans. It has a long low nave and chancel with later side aisles. There is a small north porch with a Saxon/Norman doorway. In the wall above is the remains of a statue of the Virgin and Child, defaced at the time of the Reformation.
The porch opens into the base of the tower, which still has the metal ladder to the bell chamber. The tower arch is Saxon/Norman.
At the back of the nave is a Norman tub font with pointed wooden cover above.
The nave is very plain. The north arcade has round pillars with pointed arches above. The south arcade is later with octagonal pillars. Nave and side aisles are furnished with plain wooden pews.
A pointed arch leads into the chancel which has panelling round the walls. At the east end these become open arches with a narrow band of carving with leaves. There are stone and marble monuments on the chancel walls and brass cross memorials on the panelling
The east window has Christ crucified. In window in the south aisle has images of the story of St Hubert and the deer. Lord Hubert was a keen huntsman and committed the sin of going hunting with his dogs on Good Friday. He was chasing a deer when he had a vision and heard the voice of God thundering down on him. He promptly repented and was converted. it is the first time I’ve seen a window or come across the story of Hubert in an English church.
The church is set off the road and is easy to miss. There is a small wooden sign on the junction by the side of the Cresswell Arms. Follow this round to the right for the church. There is parking in the churchyard.
This is worth a quick stop to see the outside of the Saxon tower but doesn’t merit a long stop.
