For more information about Yorkshire's churches, see Hidden Churches of Yorkshire, by Louise Simmons.

Rarely referenced in guidebooks, parish churches are often overlooked jewels offering a wealth of history. Many date from the 12th century (and may incorporate earlier elements); stunning stained glass windows are a common feature. Most are open to visitors, but are often kept locked, so that you will have to hunt down whoever holds the key. (Check the notice board by the door to find out how to call.) Such churches (and their churchyards) are also a wonderful source of information to genealogists.

	All Saints Church (17th century) Barmston, East Yorkshire All Saints Church overlooks a pond and the stackyards of neighbouring farms. It contains fragments of a hog-back tomb and some medieval glass. Also a 17th Century Boynton family monument. http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_barmston.htm
	All Saints Church (12th century) Broughton, North Yorkshire With 850 years of Christian history behind it and fascinating connections with Bolton Priory, the Pilgrimage of Grace and the Tempest family, this lovely and much-cherished church is unforgettable for its atmosphere of antiquity and holiness. Being equidistant from the two villages it serves, it is approached along a winding country lane, but contains beauties and rarities too numerous to list, in wood, metal and stone, spanning the centuries to the present day. http://www.daelnet.co.uk/features/churches/skptpend/broughtn.htm
	All Saints Church (12th century) Great Ayton, West Yorkshire Visitors come from all parts of the world to see this little gem of a church where Captain James Cook, the famous explorer, worshipped as a boy. The Cook family grave is in the churchyard. The church itself retains much of the original 12th century work and its peaceful candlelit interior also features a 3 decker pulpit complete with sounding board. http://www.captaincook.org.uk/facilities/attractions.php?link=1
	All Saints Church (14th/19th century) Ikley, West Yorkshire Christians have worshipped on this site since about 627 AD. The first church would have been built of stone taken from the abandoned Roman fort of Olicana which stood on this spot. Although parts of the present church date back to Norman times, it was substantially rebuilt in the 1860s and much of the structure and the internal layout dates from that time. The 'Four Marys Window' is a William Morris design dating from 1922. http://website.lineone.net/~saints/
	All Saints Church (Norman) Kilham, East Yorkshire The All Saints Church stands on a rise in a commanding position overlooking all that passes by. It is a Norman church with some interesting carvings in the walls of its massive tower. The doorway is adorned with exquisite chevron mouldings from the 17th century. Outside of the Church can be found an old tethering ring in a stone block which is a reminder of the cattle trade which once took place in the village. There is also a cast iron water pump to be found opposite All Saints, another reminder of days gone by. http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_kilham.htm
	All Saint's Church (Norman) Nafferton, East Yorkshire All Saint's Church stands in a commanding position on a rise in the Village. It is a large Norman built church with a perpendicular tower, north aisle and clerestory. There are a number of curious medieval monuments inside. http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_nafferton.htm
	All Saints Church (Norman) North Dalton, East Yorkshire All Saint's Church stands presiding over the village. It has a Norman doorway and the arch between the nave and the chancel also comes from that period. There is a low embattled tower and the most beautiful stained glass window at the west end in which the cross is depicted as a tree, at the west end are three lancet windows. http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_north-dalton.htm
	All Saints Church (12th century) Rudston, East Yorkshire All Saints Church is nearly as famous as the Monolith attracting hundreds of visitors each year. It has a 12th Century chancel arch and a Norman tower. The Font is from the same time and there are two interesting 19th Century memorials. http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_rudston.htm
	All Saints Church (12th century) Thwing, East Yorkshire The All Saint's Church is a 12th Century building retaining many of its original Norman features. The communal silver plate was presented to the church in 1689 by Thomas Lamplugh who was born in nearby Octon. He became Archbishop of York in 1688 and his name lives on in the area in the title of Lamplugh House which is situated nearby. It was opened in 1973 as a Christian Conference Centre for young people and attracts both clergy and laymen from home and abroad. http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_thwing.htm
	All Saints Church (18th century) Weston, West Yorkshire This ancient and hallowed building seems to merge into the natural scene. Its roots go back to Doomsday to Saxon and Viking times; the interior, however, is perfect 18th century, with 3-decker pulpit, box pews, Squires 'parlour' complete with fireplace 'for the comfort of his bride', and orchestra pew with central music stand. Early Medieval bells, Vavasour memorials, royal arms and 'lifeboat window' provide a unique range of interest. http://www.stockdill.freeserve.co.uk/churches/
Photo courtesy of Skipton Web	Christ Church (19th century) Skipton, North Yorkshire The corner of Cross Street, where Christ Church now stands, was the site of an ancient cross, marking the edge of Skipton. It seemed the appropriate place to build a new church, when in the 1830's Holy Trinity was unable to provide enough accommodation for the growing population wishing to attend church. The Duke of Thanet gave the land for the building, and Christ Church College Oxford gave land, the income from which would endow the living. http://www.skiptonweb.co.uk/worship/christchurch.asp
	Church of St. Lawrence (19th century) Atwick, East Yorkshire The Church of St Lawrence stands at the west end of the Village and is believed to be the third to stand on this site. It was rebuilt in 1876 using red brick and has a saddleback tower and tiled roof. http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_atwick.htm
	Church of St Martin-on-the-Hill (19th century) Scarborough, North Yorkshire Built by Bodley in 1836, St Martin's is notable for its splendid architecture, rich furnishings and colourful decoration; it is acclaimed for its pre-Raphaelite stained glass. One of 'England's Thousand Best Churches'. http://www.st-martin-hill.freeserve.co.uk/martin.htm
	Church of St. Mary the Blessed Virgin (19th century) Burley-in-Wharfedale, North Yorkshire Burley-in-Wharfedale is a growing commuter village at the bottom end of wonderful Wharfedale, in the Yorkshire Dales. St. Mary's is tucked away on the sharp bend going out of the village, opposite the Village Green. There has been a church on this site for hundreds of years, but the present church was opened in 1843 so is 161 years old. http://www.bradford.anglican.org/burley/index.htm
	Church of St. Peter's Hutton, East Yorkshire The Church of St Peter's is situated at Hutton and has Norman fragment in the South doorway as well as early English arcades, a perpendicular tower and Victorian windows. There are six church bells in all which ring out loud and crystal clear. They attract campanologists from far and wide who come to 'ring the changes'. The Old Vicarage next to the Church was built in 1874 and is a handsome brick building in the Gothic style which is now privately owned after a new vicarage was built in 1967 with in its grounds. http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_cranswick.htm
	Church of St. Thomas a Becket (13th century) Heptonstall, West Yorkshire The church of St. Thomas a Becket was built in the 13th century. It was of a low design to withstand the Pennine gales and originally consisted of tower, the south nave and two aisles. The north nave and two chancels were added later with more space being provided later with the addition of five galleries, including one for the choir. Significant rebuilding work took place in the 14th century and again in the 15th century when the west tower, which has a 13th century base, was reconstructed. http://www.geocities.com/thehepps/heptonstall/heptonchrchs.html
	Church of St. Thomas the Apostle (19th century) Heptonstall, West Yorkshire Two churches stand on this site, the mid 19th century church of St Thomas the Apostle and the ruins of the medieval church of St Thomas a Becket with origins back to around 1256. David Hartley, leader of a conterfeiting gang was hanged in 1770 for killing exciseman William Deighton, and is buried in the ool graveyard, and Sylvia Plath is buried in the new graveyard. More information on the two churches can be found in the Heptonstall Trail which is available for a small charge from Hebden Bridge TIC (01422 843831). The 'modern' church is open daily throughout the year and has a second hand bookstall. Light refreshments are available for groups by prior booking. (On the Pennine Yorkshire site, click on Attractions, then on Hepden Bridge) http://www.geocities.com/thehepps/heptonstall/heptonchrchs.html http://www.pennineyorkshire.co.uk/
	Dalton Holme Church (19th century) Dalton Holme, East Yorkshire The beautiful spire on the 19th Century Church is over 200 feet high and can be seen for miles around. Inside the church lie a number of the Hotham family and there is a fine black and white marble monument in memory of Sir John Hotham (1698) which is said to have come from Italy. A knight in full armour and helmet and gauntlet is stood beside him. http://www.driffield.co.uk/wolds_village_dalton-holme.htm
	Epworth Old Rectory Epworth, Doncaster, South Yorkshire Home of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church. Samuel Wesley built this house in 1709 after fire had destroyed the earlier building from which John was rescued as 'a brand plucked from the burning.' http://www.epwortholdrectory.org.uk/
	Easby Church (12th century) Richmond, North Yorkshire The exact date of Easby Church is unknown, but is thought to have been built before the Abbey. However, except for parts of the chancel, little of the original church remains. There are fine examples of wall decorations in the chancel of Easby Church. The pictures on the north wall depict subjects from the Old Testament; those on the south wall are from the New Testament. Before the discovery of painting in oils, the method used for murals such as those at Easby was for watercolours to be laid on the wall before the plaster was dry. (See Easby Abbey) http://www.richmond.org.uk/guide/easby/easby.html
	Epiphany Church (19th century) Austwick, North Yorkshire The uncompromising exterior of this chapel, built as a lecture hall in 1839, belies the charm and interest to be found within. There is much good 19th and 20th century glass, including a delightful recent rose window -- a delicate composition of wild flowers, butterflies and local scenes. http://www.daelnet.co.uk/features/churches/3peaks/austwick.htm
	Halifax Parish Church (12th/15th century) Halifax, West Yorkshire This huge, millstone grit, mediaeval building, blackened by the industry of the past, stands handsomely at the bottom end of town. The church you see is mainly 15th Century, but parts of the north wall date back to the 12th Century. http://www.halifaxparishchurch.org.uk/