Before the English Reformation, Ockbrook was a chapelry within the parish of Elvaston, cared for by a curate.

[1] At the dissolution of the monasteries, the Stanhope family took up residence at Elvaston and became patrons of the church.

[2] The tower is the oldest part of the church, dating from the 12th century, with 4 ft thick walls.

The Pares family of Hopwell took over as patrons in the late 18th century and remain so to this day.

The south aisle was added in 1835 at a cost of about £700[3] (equivalent to £87,070 in 2023),[4] with the gallery at the west end.