St Peter's Church, Dalby

St Peter's Church is the parish church of Dalby, North Yorkshire, a village in England.

The church was built in the early 12th century, from which time, the east, south and west walls of the nave survive.^[1] It is believed that it was originally dedicated to Saint Mary.^[2] The chancel was rebuilt in an unusual fortified style in the 15th century,^[3] the north wall of the nave was rebuilt, a west window was inserted, and buttresses were added at the west end. A new east window was inserted in the 16th century.^[1] In 1886, the building was restored by James Demaine and Walter Brierley,^[2] whose work included a new south porch and some additional windows. The church was grade I listed in 1960.^[3]

The church is built of sandstone with roofs of Welsh slate and lead, and consists of a three-bay nave with a two-light bellcote on the west gable, a south porch, and a two-bay chancel. The south doorway is Norman with one order and imposts. The chancel has the appearance of a tower house, with stepped buttresses and an embattled parapet. The east window has three lights, the jambs with carved depictions. Carvings include a shield and a gargoyle.^[3][4]

Inside the church, the 12th century chancel arch survives. There are four 15th century tie beams in the roof, and on the north wall of the nave, a small piece of a black letter inscription with a decorative border, with a similar fragment on the south wall of the chancel. There is a memorial to Alan Ascough dating from 1675 and an early-19th century white marble tablet. There is a coat of arms of George IV of the United Kingdom, a benefaction board, a cast iron safe with Gothic tracery, and a font with a large bowl on a newer base.^[1][3]

• Grade I listed buildings in North Yorkshire (district)
• Listed buildings in Dalby-cum-Skewsby