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The ‘Green Man’ is a relatively common pub name but is most often seen carved in wood or stone in churches across Britain and much of continental Europe. Thought to be a Pagan symbol, it was used by the early Christian church as a symbol of the Resurrection and life after death. The earliest Green Men appear in first and second century Roman motifs and the image has endured to the present day.
He combines nature and man together symbolising the power of both, representing life, death, fertility and rebirth, with leafy vines growing from his mouth and sometimes his eyes, nose and ears. The juxtaposition of a pagan symbol in medieval churches is fascinating and can be seen on capitals, bosses, corbels, misericords, fonts, stalls, bench ends, tombs and in stained glass. The face is almost invariably male, benign rather than sinister and usually in a location above head height so you have to look heavenwards to see it.

The nave and chancel date from around 1120 and the south aisle arcade is late 12th century, although the current impression of the south aisle is of the Decorated period. The tower was built and the chancel rebuilt in the 14th century in Decorated style and the windows on the north side were enlarged at this time. The south porch dates from around 1400. The south doorway is Norman.

The south aisle arcade is late Norman work, of 3 arches on circular columns. The intermediate capitals are very different, on plain, the other with upright leaves in a style to be found also at Worksop Abbey. There is a fine 14th century octagonal font with a small green man on the underside of the tub. In the chancel there is a small trefoil-headed piscina, rather surrounded by Victorian panelling. The hammerbeam roof appears to date from the 1885 restoration by Somers Clarke.

The south aisle houses three recumbent effigies, much worn, of the 14th century, thought to be members of the De Hayton family. The remaining fittings are 19th century or later, but there is an impressive stone pulpit and a fine carved wood eagle lectern.

The church is Listed Grade I - for more information see Link