[9] It is situated below the North Downs on the lowest levels of the Lower Chalk, above a spring on the Gault clay top at approximately 280 feet above ordnance datum.

The opus spicatum masonry, as well as a reference in the Domesday Book, suggest that the church dates from c. 1080.

It was built by the Bishop of Rochester, probably Gundulf, who lived in a house on the site of the neighbouring manor in the 11th century.

In the late 19th century, the four-light window on the west side and west wall were rebuilt with flint from local quarries, the three-light window on the east side was replaced, repairs were carried out using Bath stone and Portland stone, and the churchyard was extended on the north-eastern aspect.

The original opus spicatum masonry is made from whole flints, ironstone (from the Folkestone Beds) and Kentish ragstone.

The tower has small trefoiled windows on the south and west sides and three two-light perpendicular cinquefoil-headed windows, under square hood moulds, on the upper part of the tower on the east, south and west sides.

In 1820, the pulpit was removed from the Abbey to create space for the coronation of George IV, which took place in 1821.

The original glass in the tracery of the north nave window consists of canopies with a quatrefoil above that depicts a figure of the Trinity.

The late twentieth century stained glass by Keith and Judy Hill depicts Bishop Gundulf.

[10][12][17] The churchyard consists of a small rectangular area around the church, which was extended on the north-eastern side c. 1875.