It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Radcliffe and Prestwich, the archdeaconry of Bolton and the diocese of Manchester.

[2][4] The tower was built in about 1500 by the 1st Earl of Derby, and the body of the church was rebuilt during the early part of the 16th century.

Its plan consists of a five-bay nave with a clerestory, a three-bay chancel with a clerestory rising higher than that of the nave, north and south aisles, north and south porches, and a west tower.

The two eastern bays of the north aisle comprise the Wilton Chapel, the work of Paley and Austin in 1872.

At a higher level in this stage are clock faces on the north, south and east sides.

[8] The top stage contains a three-light louvred bell opening on each side, and above them a string course with gargoyles.

The finest monument in the church is one dated 1833 by Sievier to the memory of a rector, Rev'd James Lyon, who had been the incumbent for 50 years.

[7] The original two manual organ was built by Renn and Boston in 1825 but was moved to St Matthew's, Preston, in 1891.

[16] In 1999, to celebrate the Millennium, the bells were fitted with additional electromagnetic hammers so that they could be tolled automatically.

The Churchyard dates to the fourteenth century but has been extended many times, including 1827 (when the yard was enclosed), 1864, 1886, 1924 and 1950.

[17] In 2006, a memorial was erected to mark these graves, funded by parishioners with assistance from Prestwich area board and Salford, Trafford and Bolton NHS Mental Health Trust.

The memorial is made of ruby grey Welsh slate and was consecrated by the Bishop of Bolton.

[20] It has a square aedicule of Sicilian marble above with niches to each face framed by decorated piers, each containing a life-size carved female figure in classical dress.

Carved decorations to the piers and spandrels include depictions of cotton and flax plants, roses, poppies and oak and laurel leaves.

Three noted botanists, Richard Buxton, John Horsefield and James Percival are buried in one corner of the churchyard.

Despite some later alterations, it retains many original features, including its stone sett floors and a timber ledger cupboard.

[40] Most unusual among the listed monuments in the churchyard is a triangular stone measuring about 4 feet by 4 feet, and perhaps 5 inches thick, inscribed: The Proprietor of this Estate having been at a serious expence in altering and improving the Roads leading to this Church particularly desires the Publick to keep off the Grass 1827.