A church is known to have existed at Stanton St Quintin since the 12'th century and parts of this structure survives in St Giles. The walls of the nave and the lower part of the tower date from about 1125, the south aisle was added at the end of the 12'th century. Like most churches it has enjoyed repeated rebuilding over the years, the Chancel was for example rebuilt in the 13'th century, shortened in the 19'th century and then again rebuilt in 1889. The South Aisle and the top of the tower (with its Norman styling) were rebuilt in the mid 19'th century.
Atop the tower, and only really visible in slanted morning light, there is a reputed Sheela na gig (a squatting primitive figure characteristically displaying emphasised female genitalia), the form of this Sheela is held to be unusual, as is its placement on the tower. There are also other examples of carvings and column detailing for the visitor to find.
The church is relatively central to the village, placed to the south of the village road, with an additional graveyard to the north between the road and the village school. The churchyard is well kept and managed for nature conservation. This church is usually open.
Photographed May 2010 by Nick Temple-Fry for theChurchPhotographer.
