[2][3] John le Franceys wanted the church to be demolished to stop its appropriation by Selby Abbey; this was done by at least 1291, but thought to have occurred around the middle of the 12th century.

[4] The first building owed its patronage to St Mary's Abbey in York, and the ecclesiastical authorities granted the people of Whitgift the rights to an annual fair and a weekly market, also with the establishment of the ferry.

[2][5] The right of advowson was held by the local lords of the manor, however on the execution of Thomas of Lancaster, it reverted to the crown, then passing through St Mary's Abbey in York, before being described as being in the Parish of Snaith.

[8][9] The actual date of the building of the church is known because of a document from the early 14th century, which is preserved in Selby Abbey, stating that Henry de Lacy granted to Selby Abbey:...the cemetery in the vill of Wytegift consecrated a long time ago, as it is enclosed by ditches, as far as certain a place where our fair is held yearly at the feat of the Blessed Mary Magdalene, which church or chapel the present and future inhabitants in the vills of Ousefleet, Wytegift, Esstoft, Redenesse and Swynflet, and also the tenants of xi bovates of land in Folquardeby and xiii bovates of land in Haldenby which aforesaid vills are within the boundaries of the parish of Snayth, will hear divine office and will receive and have sacraments.

[13] The south aisle was built in the Elizabethan era, and the church was renovated in the late 19th century when a new chancel was added, with the building being reconsecrated in 1899 by William Maclagan, the Archbishop of York.

The origin of the thirteenth clock position has differing backstories, but its unique nature within the British isles means it also gained notoriety.