St Peter & St Paul
Barnby Dun, Yorkshire
Although there is mention of a church in Barnby Dun in the Domesday Book, the present building is mainly 14th century, although the tower is 13th century.
Marooned in an area of industrial decline, the church rewards the visitor with fascinating memorials and the opportunity to tease out the story of the building from the clues that remain.
The church is an architectural lesson in stone, reflecting over a thousand years of development. The dedication of the church possibly arises from a story that it was consecrated as a result of the stay of the body of St. Oswald after his death in the battle of Oswestry in the 7th century. Saxon architecture is evident, but the church is mainly Norman. It has fine 13th century arcades and a west window from the early 14th century. There are two beautifully carved screens dating from around 1520.
Of particular interest is the famous Rokeby Chapel added in 1520. It contains the remains of William Rokeby, formerly a rector of this church who died as Archbishop of Dublin. The stained glass includes rare panels from before the Reformation. The remains of an early cross can be seen in the churchyard.
