The Church of St Peter is an active Anglican church in the villageSmall rural collection of buildings with a church. of Hilton, in the borough of Stockton-on-Tees and the ceremonial countyArea in England with an appointed Lord Lieutenant to represent the monarch's interest. of North Yorkshire. It is in the Archdeaconry of Cleveland, the Deanery of Stokesley, the Diocese of York, and is one of the two churches in the BeneficeOriginally used in feudal societies to describe a grant of land as a reward for services rendered. In modern usage it refers to a collection of parishes working together under a single incumbent. of Stainton with Hemlington and Hilton.^[1]

The church dates from the 12th century, and was restored in the late 18th century, but remains largely unaltered since its construction. It was designated a Grade I listed building in 1966.^[1][2]

The parish registers begin in 1698, and the first marriage was recorded in 1754.^[1]

Architecture

St Peter’s is a two-cell Norman church built of coursed squared stone. It consists of a naveCentral part of a church, used by the laiety. and chancelPart of a church containing the altar, used by the officiating clergy. under a continuous roof about 40 feet (12 m) long. None of the original 12th-century windows have survived, but it is believed that the 13th-century lancet windowTall, narrow window typically associated with the Gothic architectural style., in the north chancel wall, and the three 18th-century windows in the north and south walls, are set in the original apertures.^[1][2]

The stone reredosLarge ornamented wall, screen, or other structure placed behind the altar in a Christian church. was erected by the Hay family, who owned the parish in the latter half of the 19th century, in memory of Douglas Erroll Hay, a child who died in 1886.^[1]