The outer structure dates from the 14th and 15th century. The church was held by the Royalistsat the beginning of the English Civil War; in December 1644 the Parliamentarians sieged the church which was held by the Royalists armed with 11 cannons. In the siege by Parliamentarians, the church suffered extensive damage with 60 18lb cannonballs being fired in one day from Monkhill. In June 1645, the church now under the occupation of Parliamentarians was sieged upon by Royalists who occupied Pontefract Castle. In defending the church the Parliamentarians made siege works within the already ruined church and pillaged the church of its materials. By 1649 the church roof had been completely removed.
Architectural style
Exterior
14th and 15th century outer church
The outer church is of 14th and 15th century origins and is largely ruinous. Alterations were made to the ruins in 1838. The outer church is of a cruciform plan; built of Ashlar sandstone with some rendering. The ruined nave with north and south porches contains the newer structure. The ruined structure has an octagonal tower added in the 18th century. There is a heavily ruined aisled chancel with a 19th-century inserted sanctuary. The south aisle of the nave has four bays with a porch in the second. The nave has a south clerestorey with four windows of twin trefoiled lights with a continuous hoodmould. The west end of the nave is buttressed flank with a four-centred arched doorway. The North nave is as the south with a two-story porch in the second bay. The central tower has paired windows each with two trefoiled lights with a quatrefoil in the arch and hoodmoulds. The tower has a clock face in an ogee crocketed canopy.
The inner church was completed in 1967 to a design by George G Pace. It is of brick construction with a pitched roof. The front is adorned with five medieval heads.
Interior
14th and 15th century outer church
The nave has arcades with octagonal piers and pointed arches. The nave is built over with the 1967 church obscuring much of the floor plan.
20th century inner church
The inner church was completed in 1967; it contained Victorian pews, which have since been replaced. The south chancel aisle has an ogee-headed tomb niche. The north and south walls have offset windows and the roof skylights, positioned so not to be obscured by the ruins of the outer church. The walls are whitewashed. There is a mezzanine above the entrance with a pipe organ positioned on top. There is an octagonal stone font.
Location and access
The church is located on North Baileygate; separated from the town centre by Pontefract Castle which lies to the west. The closest railway station is Pontefract Monkhill which is situated around a quarter of a mile from the church.
