Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers
Central Branch
In about 1120 the highest area in Arksey was chosen to be the site for a church of substantial importance, to demonstrate Roger de Busli's ownership of the land and his family prestige. The church was built of stone, in the shape of the cross by Norman masons, men who had brought with them the distinctive architectural style that in Europe is called 'Romanesque' and here 'Norman'. At the centre of the cross-shaped building de Busli had built a single story tower. This tower has only small narrow round headed windows. Something like 80% of this original church survives within the building we have today.
Between 1180 and 1220 Adam de Newmarch, Lord of Arksey (the grandson of Roger de Busli) extended the building, including adding a second storey to the tower.
The tower contains eight bells. Five date from the 17th century, the sixth was added in 1897, and the remaining two in 1919 as a memorial to those men who died in the Great War.
© Copyright Yorkshire Association Central Branch, 2005 - last edited 28 December, 2005