St Peter

MATERIALS: Coursed rubble, ashlar and snecked rock-faced local grey sandstone, hand-moulded brick to tower and north side of nave, tile roofs, with banded red and grey chancel tiles.

The buttressed chancel incorporates older fabric, including part of a billet cornice that is possibly C13.

The south side has a C13 chamfered doorway, 2-light and 3-light square-headed windows, and cusped window in the extended section at the east end.

INTERIOR: The C12 chancel arch has nook shafts with scalloped capitals, and chevron and billet moulding to the arch.

Floors have tiles, including medieval 2-colour tiles in the nave, with raised wood floors below benches.

PRINCIPAL FIXTURES: In the north wall of the chancel is a C14 tomb recess with simple cusping, and worn recumbent effigy holding a heart on its chest.

The plain tub font is on a later broad stem and base.

The wooden pulpit is a 1914-18 war memorial, and has round and pointed arches.

HISTORY: A church of C12 origin, of which the chancel arch has survived.

Surviving nave arcades show that the church was enlarged in the C13

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: The church of St Peter, Gayton, is listed Grade II* for the following principal reasons: * For the extent of its C12 fabric, including C12 chancel arch

C13-C14 arcades. * It has interior detail of interest including a C14 tomb recess with effigy, and medieval floor tiles. * For the historical interest of its C18 nave and tower.