The name 'Church Fenton' means a village with a church in fen or marshland.[4] The village was recorded along with nearby Little Fenton as Fentun in the Domesday Book of 1086, with no mention of a church. However in 1338 the establishment of church was signified by the name Kirk Fenton.[5] The two names have been variously used to describe either the village or a parish including the hamlets of Little Fenton to the south and Biggin to the south-east.[6]
The area was agricultural with some quarry work until the arrival of the Leeds and Selby Railway in 1839, resulting in the development of local industry, including a brickworks and tileworks.[5][7]
Church Fenton railway station in 1970
There was also a gas holder and tank works in the 1920s.[7] Further lines to Harrogate, Leeds and York followed, so that at one point there were three stations. All but one were demolished in the 1990s.[5] A row of terraced houses is called Chicory Row indicating the crop which was grown, boiled and bottled locally at one time.[7]
In 1936 RAF Church Fenton was built as a fighter base and took part in the defence of northern cities and the east coast during the Second World War. Later it was used as a pilot training base.[7][5]
The village has a community shop which is run by the residents of the village as volunteers[10] and two public houses: The Fenton Flyer and the newly reopened White Horse pub[11] which was bought by the villagers through a share buy in scheme.[12] Formerly there were three pubs. The former railway station booking office is now a licensed Indian restaurant, Sunar Bangla.[13] The school, Kirk Fenton Parochial Church of England Primary School reflects the name of the local ecclesiastical parish.[14] Village commuters are served by Church Fenton railway station. The village is also home to a Met Office Weather station.[15]
The studio scenes for the 2016 television series Victoria were filmed in a converted aircraft hangar in Church Fenton.[16]
Buildings
St Mary the Virgin's Church, on Church Street, dates from the 13th century, with a 15th century tower and is one of the smallest cruciform churches in England.[6][8][7] It is a Grade I listed building.[17] The Old Vicarage, on Main Street is also a listed building, Grade II,[18] as is the Village Cross.[19] The church was originally dedicated to St John the Baptist and one of the three bells (18th century) has the figure of St John.[6] It is of Magnesian Limestone with slate roofing.[17] The tower is square with battlements[17] and as well as the bells contains a clock which was installed in 1780.[6] It is fitted with aircraft warning lights because of the nearby aerodrome.[7]
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