File:Brandesburton, St Mary's church interior (27942587557).jpg

The church dates from the twelfth century onwards, with a 12-13th century chancel, nave with clerestory and north and south aisles, with arcades of five bays and round piers. There is also a western tower, south porch and north vestry.

The church is built with Holderness cobbles and limestone from Tadcaster, as well as mediaeval brick.

The 13th C. tower is of three stages with a crenellated parapet. There are fragments of t12th C. stonework in the tower, including a reset scratch dial. There are two bells, one dating from the late fourteenth century. The north and south arcades date from the 13th century with one octagonal pier to the north. The chancel arch dates from the fifteenth century. The chancel has a twelfth century blocked priest's door and a squint.

The church was enlarged on several occasions in the Middle Ages, in the thirteenth century when the aisles and arches of the nave were enlarged, the fourteenth century when the chancel and porch were enlarged and the fifteenth century when the aisle windows were altered and the clerestory windows added.

The tower had decayed by around 1600 and was repaired, but by the mid 19th century the church had deteriorated badly. The chancel was repaired in 1884 and major restoration was carried out from 1889 to 1892 by W. S. Weatherley. This was followed by further work in 1897.

There are two Memorial brasses from the fourteenth century.