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It is thought that our church was built in the fourteenth century, in all probability on the site of a previous building. It has a fine display of Perpendicular period nave and chancel windows. The walls were raised in height and given these great windows around 1400 when other villages were adding side aisles.
The tower collapsed in 1677 greatly damaging the west bay of the nave. The parish was so poor that they could not afford to repair the tower and only a small tower and a temporary wall was built. To find the money for this they had to mortgage the church lands and sell two of the three bells. It was not until 1902 that the present bell-cote was built and the west bay reconstructed. The bell-cote supports two bells and in the west wall is a shield bearing the cross keys of St. Peter.
Inside the church there are several items of merit and interest.
The roof timbers were decorated on the orders of the German wife of the Rev. Milne just before the First World War.
The font was damaged when the tower fell and was found in a cottage garden, given a new base and replaced in its former position when the nave was restored to its original length in 1902.
The position of the temporary wall built after the tower fell in 1677 is betrayed by cracks in the wall to the east of the south and north doors.
It was not until 1902 that the present bell-cote was built and the west bay constructed. There are two bells for swing chiming in the stone bell-cote. One bell was recast in 1902 and the other was provided new at the same time. The bells were restored and sponsored by Cuthbert Peck to whom a small plaque is dedicated on the west wall in appreciation.
The chancel was restored in 1887 by the Rev Griffith. He also removed a three decker pulpit and installed the present lectern and pulpit.
Behind the late-nineteenth century piped organ is a piscine which betrays the presence in medieval times of a side chapel and altar for the Guild of Jesus. The three panels on the wall above the pulpit are all that remain of the paraclose of this side-chapel.
Behind the curtains in the chancel is an aumbry for storing for storing the holy vessels and close by is a piscine for holding and washing the chalice and paten.
The rood screen was very badly damaged by the reformers and the saints on it and very difficult to identify.
There are many elaborate wall monuments to former important parishioners and clergy.
The church is unlocked during the weekends in the summer and on public holidays. Visitors are always very welcome.
The spacious, well-tended graveyard accommodates many grey headstones and its green grassy sward is decorated in spring especially, by snowdrops, bluebells and daffodils. A whitebeam avenue, newly planted in 2008, leads footsteps from the white gates to the south porch.
The church is included in the benefice of Smallburgh, Dilham, Honing and Crostwight with whom it shares a priest in charge and three readers. A group service is held once a month and on the other Sundays there is a service, either Morning Prayer or Holy Communion, in the church at 9.30a.m. Baptisms, weddings and funerals helps the church to serve the village.
The congregation cordially welcomes parishioners and visitors to the services and other festivals and occasions that it organises.
The church is cared for by two church wardens and a parochial church council.
