St Mary's dates back to the 12th or 13th century, with the nave and the beautiful south doorway - still the oldest feature in the building - dating from around 1250. Later medieval generations added the chancel, the porch, and a timber-framed west tower.

By the 1870s, that original timber tower had decayed badly. The architect inspecting it in 1878 reported that its having survived at all was something of a marvel. The major restoration that followed, completed in 1880 under architect Gordon M. Hills, rebuilt the tower and spire in stone and timber, added the north aisle and organ chamber, and gave the church much of the form visitors see today - while carefully reusing old masonry and timber wherever possible, including fragments of the earlier tower preserved in the present south porch.

Inside, the 15th-century octagonal font is carved with naturalistic oak, ivy, and horse-chestnut leaves, and the chancel still retains its original 15th-century battlemented tie beams. The early 15th-century chancel screen, beautifully restored, now divides the nave from the west end tower. Outside, a small marble sundial dated 1809 - its hand long since lost - still marks the south wall.

The tower holds three bells: a 17th-century treble with no inscription, a second cast in 1663 by William Eldridge, and a tenor cast in 1781 by John Waylett, all still ringing today.

St Mary's is a Grade II* listed building, recognised for its architectural and historic importance - a living church that has been cared for and renewed by each generation for nearly 800 years.