A stone church in Bedale was mentioned in the Domesday Book, but the present structure dates back to the latter part of the 12th century, with further restorations over the last 800 years.

The grade I listed building has many notable features including a medieval image of a left handed St George fighting a dragon and the tower, set to the western side, which was built with a portcullis in a defensive capacity.

It was known as the Church of St Gregory when Brian de Thornhill was rector in the 14th century, but the earliest written confirmation occurs in 1547 when it is specifically mentioned in a will.

[16] The 98-foot (30 m) high tower,[17] recognised as being rare in this part of Northern England (due to its portcullis), dates from the 1330s and was built as a defensive structure.

[18] To protect the townsfolk from marauding forces, a portcullis was installed at the foot of the tower, and whilst the grooves showing where it would be used are still extant, it was largely forgotten about until it came crashing down in the 19th century due to corrosion.

[16][note 2][19] The middle floor of the tower contains a fireplace and other domestic features (bedrooms etc) so it is believed to be part of Bedale Castle which is said to have existed immediately to the west of the church.

[11] Other similar fortified towers were built at churches in Melsonby, Spennithorne and Thornton Watlass at around the same time in history.

[2] The church contains one of the oldest ringable bells in the England; it weighs 26 long cwt (2,900 lb or 1,300 kg) and was installed in 1360.

[8] The east window of the Lady Chapel (the south aisle) is believed to have been transported to St Gregory's from Jervaulx Abbey after the dissolution.

This tomb was destroyed at an unknown date and the two effigies of FitzAlan and his wife now rest at the north-western end of the church.

This includes a Latin inscription and whilst it is faded now, Dodsworth writing in 1622 recorded it as Hic jacet Thomas Jackson quondam mercator de Bedall qui obiit primo die mensis julii anno dñi mccccc xxix.

Transcription from the parish register has thrown up many different spellings (Dowsen/Dowson), these as are as given in "The Early History of Bedale" by Clement-Hodges and McCall.