The present church was begun in the late eighth or early ninth century, either by King Offa of Mercia or his successor, Coenwulf.

[2] Roman architecture can be considered the precedent for early Christian church building; hence the term 'Romanesque'.

At the position of the present tower was a narthex, and original pillars now covered by flooring show that there was a three-arched opening between the nave and the presbytery.

[3] Petrological analysis suggests the sources were the Roman towns of Lactodurum (Towcester) and Ratae Corieltauvorum (Leicester).

This is one of four remaining Anglo-Saxon stair turrets in England, and is similar to the one at St Andrew's parish church, Brigstock, about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Brixworth.

The arches are supported by baluster shafts, which are typical of Anglo-Saxon architecture, and can also be seen at the tower of All Saints' Church, Earls Barton, about 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Brixworth.

[6] In 1865–66 major works were carried out to the church to the requirements of Charles Frederic Watkins, who was vicar at that time.

These involved the removal of a large part of the medieval chancel and exposure of the ambulatory below ground level that surrounded the apse at the east end of the building.

The south-east chapel was shortened by one bay and the south porch demolished, in each case to expose earlier stonework.

It therefore includes considerable information about the origins and destinations of people who arrived in or migrated from the village during the 18th century.