The Saxon Church, was possibly built as early as 700. Around 1180, the tower was added; the current study of the nave walls suggests that some form of transept of side chapel may have been added by this date. About 1200, the tower was heightened and an aisle added to the nave. In the early 14th century, the south transept was rebuilt, perhaps as a burial place for the Robert de Neville, ‘Peacock of the North'. The Nevilles enlarged the church by the late 1300s, and the chancel and aisles were rebuilt, and the tower given a new parapet (very like that of one of the turrets at the Castle). In the early 16th century, the Lady Chapel was added (as another burial chapel for the Nevilles), and the Cosin Room (Sacristy). About the 1630s, the clerestory and two porches were added.

The Bulmer family owned the village until the sole heir, Emma, after marrying the nephew of William the Conqueror, then married Geoffrey Neville, Lord of Raby in 1174.

This church formerly contained two chantries, one dedicated to St. John, and the other to Jesus, the latter of which was founded by Ralph Lord Neville and Isabel his wife in 1483

The church is a spacious structure in the form of a cross, with a lofty western tower, and entrance porches on the south and north, decorated with pilasters bearing Ionic capitals. The side-aisles are each formed by two light octagonal pillars, supporting pointed arches. The entrance to the chancel is by a pointed arch, beneath which is a screen and lofty spires of beautiful trellis-work. The chancel is regularly stalled, and lighted by a large window of five compartments under a pointed arch to the east, with two others to the south, and three to the north. A porch on the south side of the chancel opens beneath a circular arch, and is lighted by three windows: it is used as a vestry, and contains an antique carved chest. The font is a circular bason of Stanhope marble, with a lofty spire, curiously carved and painted. The whole of the interior of the church is highly ornamented.

Monuments.—In the middle of the chancel is the tomb and burying-place of Margaret, daughter of Hugh, first Earl of Stafford, and first wife to Ralph, the first Earl of Westmoreland This curious monument, which is a little raised from the floor, displays the effigies both of the earl and his lady in wood: the former is in a coat of mail, the hands elevated with gauntlets, wearing his casque or helmet, which rests on a bull's head, a collar round his neck, studded with gems, and on the breast a shield with the arms of Neville: the female figure has a high crowned bonnet, and the mantle is drawn close over the feet, which rest on two dogs couchant: the tomb is ornamented with small figures of ecclesiastics at prayer, but bears no inscription. In the north transept lies a colossian stone recumbent effigy, finely cut, in a coat of mail and hood of chain-work, the hands elevated, a shield on the left arm, the legs crossed, the right leg uppermost, the feet rested upon a lion: a muzzled bear lies by his left side, and the cushion which supports his head is rested on a group or cluster of lions: the bearings of the shield are the arms of Neville; and this figure is supposed to represent one of the Roberts de Neville.*

* Leland says, "There lyith in that chapelle on the south side of the quier a Countes of Westmerland, sister to Bouth, Archbishop of York." She was wife to Ralph, the third Earl of Westmoreland. He adds, "There lyith in that chapelle also the Lord Neville, father of the erle that now is. This Lorde Neville died, his father the erle yet lyving: wherapon the erle tok much thought, and dyed at Horneby Castelle, in Richmondshir, and ther is buried in the paroche chirch. The Erie of Westmerland that is now, had an elder brother, and he lyith in a little tombe of marble, by the high alter, on the south side; and at the feete of hym be buried 4 children of the erles, that now lyvith."