• During the 12th century the original church was built. It was quite small, circa 6.71 m (22 ft) wide and the same in length.
• During the 13th and 14th centuries further additions such as the north and south aisles and chancel were built.
• In circa 1500 the south porch was added.
• In 1893 it was restored.

Architecture:

The de la Mare Chantry is built in late 'decorated' and 'perpendicular' styles and is a magnificent example of this architectural period and style. It dominates the existing church. On the outside it is embattled and has low octagonal pyramidal towers at the east end and west corners. It is made from wrought stone, inside and out. A profusion of ball-flower ornament extends all round the building at the cornice. The windows, 1 large in the south and 2 in the east and west are excellent examples of the flowing tracery of the period.

Inside, at the northeast end there is the altar-tomb of James Claypole. It has a heavy round arched canopy on a panelled base, surmounted by a cornice and the Claypole arms. On the east wall, above and to the side of the altar, are 2 Gothic canopies of wrought Caen stone. They are exquisitely carved and decorated in 14th century style, with pedestals beneath for statues, but the statues were removed during the reformation. It is thought that these canopies were used as the design for the choir stalls at Peterborough Cathedral.

In the south-east angle of the chapel there are 2 projecting piscina's, 1 is lower than the other, dating to when the church was at a lower level, and the other is a higher, more modern one with less skilled masonry work. In the entrance to the chapel from the south aisle there is also an early english piscina that was broken when the Chantry was added.

On the floor of the chapel there are tombstones for Elizabeth Cromwell and Martha Claypole, daughter of Elizabeth and James Claypole. The markings on them are quite work so there is a plaque on the east wall to commemorate the tombs. On the east wall the arch through to the south aisle is higher than the original roof of the aisle and behind the stonework you can see the wooden beams of the roof.

Social history:

During the time that the church was built in the 12th century, records show that Geoffrey de la Mare owned approximately 280 acres of land in Maxey, Northborough and Woodcroft. However, when the de la Mare Chantry was built onto the church in 1350, there was some speculation as to who paid for it. The current de la Mare family were in some financial trouble and it is claimed that Roger of Northborough raised the money from wealthy London merchants.

At the beginning of the 16th century the ownership of the Manor of Northborough passed to the Fitzwilliam family and subsequently to James Claypole. Mr Claypole commissioned the alter-tomb for himself in the de le Mare Chantry and left instructions for after his death. The Chantry is unlike the rest of the church that it is wondered if its designer had plans to extend further but a shortage in funds prevented this from being completed.