The Grade 1 listed building is principally 15th century, although there has been a church on the site since 1120. 

The first named vicar was William de Shoreham or William Shorman as he appears on the list of incumbents on the west wall of the church. In the Lambeth Registers, Hernhill is referred to as a chapel dependent on Boughton-under-Blean and Shorman was vicar of both from 1283 to 1285. The churches at Boughton and Hernhill have been joined and separated many times in their long history.

Parts of the earlier church remain in the south aisle, where marks left by the 12th-century masons are etched into the wall. Then, the church was dedicated to St Stephen and the area where the organ stands has always been known as the Chapel of St Stephen. 

The 15th century was the golden age of church buildings, as many fell into disrepair in the 14th century because of the bubonic plague. Lady Elizabeth Martyn, the wife of John Martyn, lord of the manor at Dargate, was responsible for the building of the 15th-century church in Hernhill. The legend is that when her husband and son went to France to fight with Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt (1415), Lady Elizabeth pledged to rebuild the church if they returned home safely. This may have been when the church was re-dedicated to St Michael and All Angels. It was built in the distinctively English perpendicular style of the time with graceful, slender columns and four-centred arches of Bethersden Marble separating the nave from the aisles. The windows are taller than wider and have pointed arches with elaborate tracery and strong vertical lines provided by the mullions. The east window in the north aisle and the south window in the chancel are classic examples of the perpendicular design. The church is one of the few in Kent which is still wholly in the perpendicular style.

To celebrate the completion of their project, the Martyn Family installed a memorial window, fragments of which can still be seen in the south window of the chancel. This 15th-century glass survived the ravages of Cromwell and his men because it was hidden in a local barn. It was probably installed during the reign of Edward IV (1461-1483) as it contains the image of the sun in splendour, the heraldic badge of Edward. There are also the white roses of York. The Martyn’s were showing their loyalty to Edward during the Wars of the Roses (1455-1487).The parish of Hernhill: St Michael is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Canterbury’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.