We are always pleased to welcome visitors. If you would like to visit you can send an email to our Rector [email protected]  or Sarah Whittaker who is Benefice Admin on [email protected]  who will arrange access.  Of course, we are always open on the second, third and fourth Sundays for worship at 11am and you would be most welcome to visit then. 

St Peter's Church is Grade 1 Listed, and dates back to 1130 and there is evidence of earlier inhabitation in the form of a carving of a Roman fertility God circa 1>5 A.D and an Anglo Saxon stone carved cross dating back to the 9th Century (approx).

2. It became a crown property in 1539.

3. Extended by the addition of aisles and a chancel in the 14th century, and the tower in 1399 with 3 bells dating back to 1699.

4.The Clervaux Chapel dates from 1330 and holds the limestone table tomb of Richard Clervaux .

5.In the north aisle is the 17th century tomb of Sir Mark Milbank,. A descendant, Arabella Milbank married Lord Byron in 1825.

6.The raised Milbank box family pew dates from the 19th century.

7.In the chancel there is a very fine 14th century stone sedilia with stepped seats for the priest, deacon, and sub-deacon.

8. Lewis Carroll's father was rector from 1843 to 1868 and his tombstone can be found in the grounds.

9.Lewis Carroll spent much of his childhood in Croft and an effigy on the sedilia (which is to the right of the communion table as you kneel at the rail) is claimed to be Lewis Carroll’s inspiration for the Cheshire cat. The Carroll connection attracts many visitors worldwide who are part of the Lewis Carroll Society.

10.In 1843 Lewis Carroll's father the Rev Charles Dodgson was awarded the living at Croft on Tees. Lewis Carroll lived here until 1868. His parents are buried together in the fenced in tomb next to the North wall of the church. The rectory was the home of Lewis Carroll (the younger Charles Dodgson) and he returned here on his vacations from Richmond and Rugby schools and Oxford university. While living or visiting here he wrote many of his earliest poems and stories. The church contains many features that are included in his writings. More detailed information is available in the church.

11. St Peter’s features in Simon Jenkins book “England’s Thousand Best Churches, and Michael Portillo’s Great British Railway Journeys.

12.There is a memorial in the church to the Canadian Air Force airmen who flew Lancaster bombers out of Croft airfield in the Second World War.

13. A comprehensive booklet on the history of the church is available - donations welcome.