[1][2] The church, with its 80-foot west tower, sits in a prominent position on a hilltop overlooking the town harbour, and was traditionally an important landmark along the Thames Estuary.

[3] It was rebuilt using Kentish ragstone and flint rubble in the late 15th or early 16th on the site of a previous church, possibly dating back to the 13th century.

In 1872 the chancel was extended eastwards by the architect C. F. Haywood, and the south aisle was added by Ernest Geldart in 1897 as the population of Leigh-on-Sea continued to grow.

The church contains a number of stained glass windows, including work by Frederick Preedy, Franz Mayer & Co. and James Powell and Sons.

[9] The building now serves as the town library but is only one-quarter of its original size, the rest having been demolished after it was acquired by Southend Corporation.