The font at St Giles is believed to be the gift of Princess Gunreda, the youngest daughter of William the Conqueror, who was Lady of the Manor in Noke during the 11th century when the church was build. A priest was first recorded at Noke in 1191. The present stone building dates from around 1270; the list of rectors begins in 1272.
The building consists of a small nave and chancel, and is essentially in the Early English Gothic style, but like so many small churches bears witness to repairs and alterations through the years. The church comprises a nave with a small bell-cote above the western gable, chancel, and south porch. Both the chancel with its double lancet window in the south wall and the chancel arch are probably 13th-century. On either side of the arch are two 14th- or 15th-century niches. On the north side of the nave there was a mortuary chapel built by Joan Bradshaw (d. 1598/9) for herself and members of the Winchcombe family (demolished in 1745), Further repairs took place in the 18th and 19th century, the last restoration was undertaken by the Oxford architect William Wilkinson (1819-1901).
St Giles is a small, but beautifully proportioned stone building constructed in limestone rubble with ashlar dressings under a plain-tile roof, seating only 60 or so but is well cared for with extensive repairs made over the last 20 years. In 1995 we created a lovely stained glass window based on poppies.
