It was founded by Richard de Lucy, the son-in-law of Henry II of England.

de Lucy was also one of the instigators of the assassination of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1170.

The church was restored during the period of 1893–1906, using donations from the Freemasons, yet it is still thought to closely resemble its original condition.

[1] The Rectory Manor, also known as Parsonage Farm, was initially part of Rainham Manor, but in 1178 the King granted it to Lesnes Abbey, which owned it until the Dissolution of the Monasteries, when it was conveyed to Cardinal Wolsey.

After Wolsey's fall the Rectory Manor fell to Sir Robert Southwell, and eventually to a group of five Londoners.