St Giles' Church, Skelton

About

St Giles' Church is the parish church of Skelton, a village in the rural northern part of the City of York. The church lies at the northern end of the village green. Records show that it was completed in or just before 1247, and the entire church is in the style of that period. The Victoria County History of the North Riding of Yorkshire states that "as an example of early 13th century work it is unequalled by any other parish church in the county". Local tradition maintains that the church was built with the stones that remained after the building of the south transept of York Minster, in 1227. Historic England states that the church was probably constructed by the same masons as that transept. The church is thus sometimes called "Little St Peter's". The following extract from Archbishop Grey's roll shows that its building took place previous to the year 1247:

"Confirmation of a donation to the chapel of Skelton. To all, etc. The donation which our beloved son in Christ, Master E. Hagitur, treasurer of York, made to John de l'Edes, clerk of the chapel of Skelton, considering it to be agreeable and satisfactory to us, we confirm the same by our Pontifical authority, desiring the...