[2] A place of worship has been present on the site since about 650 AD, and the presence of a priest in Warrington was recorded in the Domesday Book.

According to tradition the first church was built by Saint Oswald for his companion Elphin, who remained as the first priest there until his death in 679.

[4] Most of the fabric of the present church is the result of an extensive restoration between 1859 and 1867 by Frederick and Horace Francis.

[4] Within the church, St Ann's Chapel was founded by Thomas Massey, rector of Warrington from 1448 to 1464.

It consists of two stone rusticated gate piers surmounted by a cornice and urns.