By 1790, the church had fallen into great disrepair, and had reached a stage where rebuilding was the only remaining option.

The architect employed was William Newton, who designed and built the nave and tower over the foundations of the original church.

Dr Besly, vicar of the parish from 1830 writes 'the chancel, which was then the responsibility of Balliol College, was left in its original state in consequence of the disinclination of the lessees of the great tithes to undertake the expense of rebuilding it,' [2] and the church was dedicated in honour of Saint Bartholomew and was consecrated by the Bishop of Peterborough, the Right Reverend Dr John Hinchcliffe on 2 November 1791.

In the early nineteenth century, St Bartholomew's Church was the parish church of the railway pioneer George Stephenson and his son, the future engineer Robert Stephenson, who lived at Dial Cottage in West Moor.

To mark the centenary of the rebuilding of the church, a peal of eight bells was installed, which are used before services and weddings.