The Ecclesiastical Court in the town was previously known as a Peculiar after it was given to the Diocese of York, but was deemed too dangerous and far away for the bishop or his tax collectors to travel to.

[3] However, archaeological discoveries, most notably 57 Saxon bodies, have led to estimations that the site has been the place of Christian worship for over 1,400 years.

[7][8] During the 19th century renovations, several carved stones of Anglo-Saxon origin were found to be embedded within the church walls with more being unearthed when the foundations were maintained.

[16][17] The chancel contains a monument to Sir Marmaduke Wyvil (of Burton-on-Ure) and the south aisle contains many memorials to the Danby family from nearby Swinton.

The Four and Twenty from the Peculiar of Masham dictated that the face should be there as it would be "commodious and of great use to the inhabitants of the town and the people resorting to the market and fair, but also the country generally".

[35][36] Roger de Mowbray, the lord of the manor, was held captive during the Crusades and released after being ransomed by the Knights Templar.

As a result of this, the Peculier Court of Masham, consisted of 24 men (known historically as the Four and Twenty) which also gave rise to a name of one of the Theakstons' beers.

[44] Between the 12th and 19th centuries, the court ruled on matters mostly pertaining to the church and adherence to Christian rituals not only in Masham, but also in the surrounding areas.

People were fined for having non-Christian customs in burials, for not paying money into the collection plate, for wearing hats during communion and for setting up a school without permission.

[46] Through not having to pay taxes to York, the court became quite rich and the power of its earning potential and endowments was renowned across the north of England.

In 1999, the brewery paid for a new stained glass window in the church that showed the seal of the Peculier of Masham (believed to be the figure of Roger de Mowbray) which Theakstons had borrowed for the design of their beer.

Theakston also commissioned a new portrait of the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus as part of the deal that extends the licence of the seal until 2040.