St John’s is an active Anglican Church in the villageSmall rural collection of buildings with a church. of Bellerby, North Yorkshire. It is in the Archdeaconry of Richmond and Craven, the Deanery of Wensley and the Diocese of Leeds, 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 Leyburn and Bellerby.^[1]

St John’s was designated a Grade II listed buildingStructure of particular architectural and/or historic interest deserving of special protection. in 1967.^[2] The present-day church, consecrated in 1874, is thought to be the third built on the site.^[1]

Architecture

St John’s is built of rubble with ashlarMasonry of squared and finely cut or worked stone, commonly used for the facing of a building. dressings, and has a Welsh slate roof. It consists of a three-bay naveCentral part of a church, used by the laiety. with a south porchVestibule before the main entrance to a Christian church, less sacred than the church proper., a two-bay chancelPart of a church containing the altar, used by the officiating clergy. with a north vestryRoom in Christian churches for the storage of liturgical vestments, sacred vessels and parish records., and a southwest octagonal ashlar steeple; the steeple has string courses with louvred openings. The porch is gabled and has buttresses, and a pointed doorway with a chamfered surround.^[2]