St Giles

Through its long and fascinating history the church, which is at the heart of Pontefract town centre, has continuously developed to meet the changing needs of the community it serves.

Pontefract, Yorkshire

Opening times

Monday to Friday 8.30am to 3pm.
Saturday 8.30am to 12.30pm.
Sunday 7.30am to 12noon.
Community activities also take place during the evenings until 9pm and on several Saturdays until 10pm.

Address

Market Place
Pontefract
Yorkshire
WF8 1AT

View map

53.6915134, -1.3108127

St Giles is the church in the heart of the town.

It's the dominant feature of the town’s Market Place and it's unique octagonal tower, visible for miles around. There has been a church building in Pontefract Market Place since at least the 12th century. The present church is a Grade II* listed building with a bell tower housing a peal of ten bells. There is no churchyard attached to the church.

Although mainly Georgian in aspect, foundations of a Norman chapel have been discovered and the north arcade is believed to be of 14th/15th century origin. The church was the winner of the Building Conservation category of the RICS Pro-Yorkshire Awards in 2014, following the full reordering of the interior which included the establishment of the St Giles Centre a thriving community facility including modern facilities, a cafe and meeting rooms utilised by all sectors of the community. Extensive fabric repairs to the stonework and north and south aisle roofs were carried out during the period 2011-2021.

  • Captivating architecture

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Famous connections

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Accessible toilets in church

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Café in church

  • Café within 500m

  • Dog friendly

  • Level access throughout

  • On street parking at church

  • Parking within 250m

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Wifi

  • Organ Recitals September to May. Lunch with Us every Wednesday. Wednesday and Saturday coffee mornings.

  • Church of England

Contact information

01977 790448

Church website

Other nearby churches

St Stephen

East Harwick, Yorkshire

St Stephen's is a cruciform building, built in 1873, in the Early English style of architecture and has interesting internal architectural features and stained glass; a beautiful and peaceful place of worship within a small village community.

St Martin of Tours

Womersley, Yorkshire

On the outside, a fine medieval church with a broach spire and on the inside, a complete Victorian Gothic interior by GF Bodley with beautifully decorated ceilings throughout the church.

We do not own or manage any buildings

The information on this page is provided by the church and is correct when made live. Opening times and contact details may have changed, we recommend you check before making a special trip.

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