St Peter
Thorner, Yorkshire
Attractive 19th century church with 15th century tower, built in sandstone and placed prominently in attractive village.
At this time the church consisted of just a west porch, a narrow nave and a tiny chancel.
Between 1100 and 1400, north and south aisles were added and then widened, forming fine Norman arcades. An elaborate Norman doorway was moved to its present position at the west end of the south aisle, though it is now partly obscured by the much later addition of a porch. Yet it remains the principle entrance to the church and clearly shows the architectural features typical of early Norman construction.
In the last century, efforts have been made to undo Victorian 'improvements' and try to recapture the medieval character of the interior. Wall plaster was removed, floors raised and ancient architecture uncovered. Recently, pews were removed as well.
The church is now home to the Bardsey Millennium Tapestry. Created by people from the village, the four panels of the tapestry, each showing one the four seasons, portray village life at the turn of the millennium.