Knapton Church is built in the ‘Decorated’ style of the 14th  century. It was restored in 1882-3 under the direction of Sir Gilbert Scott.

The font stands on three high steps: the large octagonal bowl is of Purbeck marble supported on a central shaft and eight smaller ones. The font cover dated 1704 bears the inscription which reads the same either way (wash my sins and not my face only) This font cover is a good example of a permanent font canopy and may be compared with those of Terrington St Clement & Southacre.*

The most interesting feature in the church is the roof. This roof for scientific construction and for beauty of colouring & design is the best late Perp. roof to be found throughout England. It is of double hammer beam construction and grace with three rows of angels with extended wing, and 16th cent. painting. It was a gift to the church of John Smithe, 1504.*

*from information in the church, see photo below

The FONT, the place of baptism, or christening, stands on a plinth at the west end of the nave. It is a composite creation which tellingly symbolises the long history of Wirlfrid’s church. The large circular bowl is believed to be Roman, possibly an inverted pillar-base; it is set on a medieval carved stone base decorated with typically 13th-century dog-tooth decoration; the fine wooden cover is 17th century; while the great canopy above it, more than six metres tall, was made in 1916 by a Belgian refugee, re-using 15th-century woodwork.*

Behind the canopy a stained glass window has two tiers showing the Northumbrian saints and below them a tier showing episodes from the saints’ histories.

*From the Hexham Abbey guidebook