St Mary's Church

The church was built between 1870 and 1873 to replace the earlier 14th century St Michael's Old Church, from which the village took the name 'Betws', and to accommodate the increasing number of summer visitors to the village. It was designed by the Lancaster partnership of Paley and Austin, the commission being gained as a result of a competition won by Hubert Austin. The principal benefactor was the Liverpool businessman Charles Kurtz. The church was consecrated in July 1873, and provided seating for 150 people. It replaced a medieval church dedicated to Saint Michael, and cost £5,000 (equivalent to £}} in ). The tower was completed in 1907, but has never held any bells other than an…

Inside the church are arcades with pointed arches. The font is constructed in black and burgundy marble, and the pulpit is in sandstone; both are in Early English style. In the south wall of the chancel is a recess, and in the north wall is an aumbry. The chancel is floored with tiles. The choir stalls and reading desks are in Arts and Crafts style. The reredos, inserted in 1929, is in Italian alabaster, and depicts the Passion of Christ. Most of the stained glass was made by Shrigley and Hunt of Lancaster. Other windows were made by Jones and Willis, based on designs by Edward Burne-Jones.