History:

• Built between 885 and 1066 by the Saxons, it consisted of a chancel and knave of which much remains intact.
• In circa1150 the north aisle of two bays was added.
• The south door dates to the 13th century.
• In circa 1320 the north chapel was added at the same time as the tower and spire.
• In the 15th century the north aisle was widened to bring it in line with the wall of the north chapel.
• The porch and vestry are modern.

Architecture:

The most striking internal feature of the church is the huge Chancel Arch.  Its simple grandeur dominates the tiny building and is unparalleled in other small Saxon churches.

The arch stands about 4.27m (14ft) in height with a span of 2.13m (7ft).  The heavy imposts of plain roughly shaped blocks slope inwards towards the jambs which themselves rest on square-edged plinths that are roughly hewn.

The arch is semi circular and decorated with a moulding of 3 rolls, one on the east wall face, one on the west and the third on the soffit between the two.  The jambs are similarly decorated.  There is a hollow chamfer up each of the corners to provide further decoration, and the western face carries a pilaster strip beside each joint and round the head of the arch.

The rest of the church has a verity of architecture demonstrating the different styles from each era that contributed to its build.  There are examples of Norman style archways into the north aisle and long and short stonework on the outside up the tower.

Social History :

The stone used to build the church was from the neighbouring Barnack quarries.

Much of the survival of the original church building can be attributed to the poverty of the village in previous years.  In 1870 it was proposed to abandon the church and replace it with a new one, but due to lack of funds this idea was quashed and extensive restoration took place instead.