History

The church, built of sandstone,  has origins in the fifteenth century. The carved bench ends date from the sixteenth century.  The North aisle was added in 1839, and the whole church was restored in 1872. The organ and communion rails were brought from Brompton Ralph in 1910. During the 1920s notable additions were made under the direction of Sir Ninian Comper (1864–1960): screen and gallery at West end, font cover, war memorial rood beam and figures, as well as eight of the stained glass windows. 

The Anglo-Catholic tradition in worship and church fittings began with Fr John Briscoe, Rector from 1904 to 1939, who was a remarkable personality and gained national notice within the Church of England. It was he who returned the title of the church to its original one of 'Saint Pancras'  – it is one of six medieval churches in England dedicated to his name. Pancras was a  Roman boy martyr of the early fourth century, and he is commemorated in the East window and by a statue near the font. 

A full-length book about Fr Briscoe and the redecoration of the church is available from the Anglo-Catholic History Society https://www.achs.org.uk/welcome.htm .