Stainburn is a village 10 miles N of Leeds. The church or chapel of St Mary is Grade 1 Listed and stands in an open position at about 140m (460 feet) above sea level on the north side of Wharfedale. It is a simple church of nave with S porch, and chancel with modern vestry on N side. Phased plan in Turner 1894, 157, in which the S porch is dated as 'Decorated' and the E wall as 'Perpendicular'. However, Morris 1979, 14, says the E wall was rebuilt in the 17th or 18th century incorporating a late medieval window. The remainder of the structure is 'Norman' but windows have been altered, or added 'of domestic type' (Morris 1979,10). Uncoursed rubble walls with sandstone facings. The bell-cote between nave and chancel is not Norman. A square socketed base in the churchyard S of the nave is of uncertain date.

The church became redundant and was vested in the Redundant Churches Fund in 1977; an archaeological investigation preceeded necessary repairs (Morris 1979). Relevant material includes a doorway with tympanum; a simple chancel arch; several splayed windows and a rather fine sculptured font.

Lawton 1842, 66, says 'this town was held by the Abbot of Fountains, by part of a knights fee, of the Earl of Albemarle, who held it of the King in capite.' No date given. Morris 1979, 9-10, says during the 12th century most of Stainburn was acquired by Fountains Abbey, largely due to donations by the Lethley family, descendants of a vassal of the Percys.

At some period, it was a chapel in the parish of Kirkby Overblow. Lawton 1842 gives no dedication, neither does Raine 1873.

The bell arrangement may represent an original feature.