The ancient church at the centre of the village is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin.
It is thought, however, that at one time it also had a dedication to St Andrew, possibly as a deliberate means of avoiding the displeasure of invading Scots.
A more likely explanation lies with the one time patrons of the living, the prioress and nuns from Stainfield Nunnery in Lincolnshire, which was itself dedicated to St Mary the Virgin and St Andrew.
Indeed, the prioress had a manor house at Rayhead in Gisburn Forest, and the Percy family, who founded the nunnery, were very generous to Gisburn Church.
The connection with Stainfield, however, was the source of a bitter dispute between the nunnery and the nearby Sawley Abbey.

Early charters give the priest of Gisburn, between 1140 and 1146, as one Renulf, and it has been suggested that the foundations of the church date from 1135.
The large cylindrical pillars at the front of the church are of 12th-century origin.
The date of the other pillars is later, perhaps as late as the 16th century, when it is thought that the church was restored.
Part of the archway originated from Sawley Abbey following its destruction at the Dissolution.

A further restoration in 1872 involved re-roofing the church, new pews and a new pulpit.
Other modifications were also carried out and the work was paid for by a grant from Queen Anne's Bounty, the repayment of which took until 1925.

In the graveyard lies buried one of England's greatest writers of hymn tunes, Francis Duckworth (1862–1941).
His most famous tune is "Rimington", to which several hymns including Jesu Shall Reign Where'er the Sun may be sung.
The opening lines of the tune are inscribed on his gravestone.

The church is a Grade II* listed building.
The south porch has a wide outer entrance with moulded round arch and moulded imposts.
The inner door, probably C13th, has a pointed arch with two orders of sunk quadrant moulding.
The porch roof has two short king posts rising from collars.

In May 2015 it was announced that a rare King James Version of the Bible, printed in 1611, had been found at the church.
The ancient church at the centre of the village is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. It is thought, however, that at one time it also had a dedication to St Andrew, possibly as a deliberate means of avoiding the displeasure of invading Scots. A more likely explanation lies with the one time patrons of the living, the prioress and nuns from Stainfield Nunnery in Lincolnshire, which was itself dedicated to St Mary the Virgin and St Andrew. Indeed, the prioress had a manor house at Rayhead in Gisburn Forest, and the Percy family, who founded the nunnery, were very generous to Gisburn Church. The connection with Stainfield, however, was the source of a bitter dispute between the nunnery and the nearby Sawley Abbey.
Early charters give the priest of Gisburn, between 1140 and 1146, as one Renulf, and it has been suggested that the foundations of the church date from 1135. The large cylindrical pillars at the front of the church are of 12th-century origin. The date of the other pillars is later, perhaps as late as the 16th century, when it is thought that the church was restored. Part of the archway originated from Sawley Abbey following its destruction at the Dissolution.
A further restoration in 1872 involved re-roofing the church, new pews and a new pulpit. Other modifications were also carried out and the work was paid for by a grant from Queen Anne's Bounty, the repayment of which took until 1925.
In the graveyard lies buried one of England's greatest writers of hymn tunes, Francis Duckworth (1862–1941). His most famous tune is "Rimington", to which several hymns including Jesu Shall Reign Where'er the Sun may be sung. The opening lines of the tune are inscribed on his gravestone.
The church is a Grade II* listed building. The south porch has a wide outer entrance with moulded round arch and moulded imposts. The inner door, probably C13th, has a pointed arch with two orders of sunk quadrant moulding. The porch roof has two short king posts rising from collars.
In May 2015 it was announced that a rare King James Version of the Bible, printed in 1611, had been found at the church.
Gisburn