St Robert's Church

The first record of the village is "Panhale" in the Pipe Rolls of 1170. The church was dedicated to St Michael and was called St Michael the Archangel (or All Angels) until at least 1304. Its vicar became Archdeacon of Rochester in 1271. Edmund Earl of Cornwall gave the church to St Robert's Priory in 1278. Until the 19th century, this parish church was the village's civic and judicial centre. The parish chest held civil documents, and the vicar and warden held the keys. The church dispensed welfare monies and set up workhouses and poorhouses. The parish supported the village constable, and until the 1960s the old village stocks could be seen by the churchyard gate.

The church was listed as Grade II*, number 1149449, on 18 July 1949 on the grounds that the tower and chancel constitute a medieval element of the dressed and coursed sandstone structure. It has graded-slate roofs. The chancel is lower and narrower than the nave, and was built in the 14th century, the east window tracery dates from 1350. It was restored during the ministry of Mark Rowntree in 1882 to 1884 while the church was closed. On the south side a porch and choir vestry were added in 1952, the glazed and polygonal chapter house was built in 1977 and the parish meeting rooms and kitchen in 1988 or 1999. <gallery class="center"> Image:St Roberts 013.jpg|C15–C16 tower Image:StRoberts…

Viewing of the church is by appointment, except during the summer months when the church is kept open for visitors throughout the day; the tower is inaccessible to the public. There is a toilet but no café. Coffee and drinks are available at the Co-op store next to Pannal station. The church has a Junior Church (Sunday school), a youth group and a choir. It has an organ and presents concerts. There is wheelchair access, and a hearing induction loop. There are large-print hymn books, toilets and baby-changing facilities, plus a car park.