Huggate is a small village nestled into a fold of the Yorkshire Wolds, approximately 500ft (150m) above sea level. The church is the most interesting, spiritual, historic, architectural, educational, artistic, archaeological and aesthetic resource in Huggate. A church has been in situ since, at least, the 11th century and unique for the High Wolds, it has an imposing 14th century spire which can be seen for miles around.
St Mary (formerly All Saints or All Hallows) consists of a west tower and spire, a nave, a south and north aisle, a south porch and a vestry on the south side of the chancel. The church is constructed of stone walls and slate roofs with internal timber ceilings, walls of fair faced stonework and boarded and tiled floors. Historic England records suggest the south side aisles were installed around 1190 which in turn suggest the nave must be earlier even if by only a few years. The nave aisles with their pointed arches suggest that they were added in the 13th century along with the chancel. There is evidence of difference roof structures from flat to cone shaped in different eras. All the windows are glazed with Cathedral glass except the window of the chancel and west window. The chancel window which is filled with stained glass is a memorial by the late James Christie Esq. work done by Mr Hodgson of York, showing the Ascension in the central light and the side panels showing the Flight to Egypt, The Baptism of Christ, the Visit of the Magi and the Last Supper. The west window was given by Mr E Holtby late of Haywold in memory of his wife Hetty, portraying Christ’s home life.
The churchyard has magnificent views over the Wolds and has recently been extended to allow for further burial plots. The listed village War Memorial erected through funds raised by the village is sited on the south side at the entrance to the church