It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Skipton, the archdeaconry of Craven and the Diocese of Leeds.

In 1846 the chancel was added and the nave and aisle were rebuilt under the supervision of the Lancaster architects Sharpe and Paley, who maintained its original Norman style of architecture.

[2][3] Another period of renovation was undertaken in the 1950s, which uncovered Saxon markings on undiscovered stones in the churchyard.

[4] St Mary's is constructed in limestone rubble, with gritstone dressings and a stone slate roof.

[2] A memorial is located in the churchyard to the six cavers who died in the Mossdale Caverns tragedy of June 1967.