[4] Archaeological evidence suggests that it was founded at a time when the River Wensum was wider (or more marshy) than at present.

In 1106, the manor at Thorpe was granted to Herbert de Losinga, Bishop of Norwich, who probably also founded (and had authority over) the church.

[6] According to Blomefield:[7] It was a well-endowed rectory, having all the great and small tithes belonging to it, till about 1201, when it was appropriated by John de Grey Bishop of Norwich, to the prior and convent there, who by that means, got all the glebes and tithes into their hands, on condition they found a secular chaplain to serve the church, and paid him for so doing, and repaired the chancel at their cost.In 1368, the church was valued at £1 6s 8d, by 1535 this value had more than doubled.

[8] The enlarged parish included a portion of the heath, as well as the hamlet of Pockthorpe, which was across the River Wensum and on the other side of the city walls.

Being aware of a repairs estimate of £610, (equivalent to £70,063.48 in 2023) and of the poverty of the local congregations, an appeal for additional subscriptions was made to various interested clergy and gentry.

At the first service, Cook read the prayers, and the Bishop of Norwich delivered the sermon to a "densely crowded" congregation.

[12] The building was thoroughly and substantially restored under the direction of Mr Joseph Stannard junr, presenting a singular neatness of appearance.

The Lord Bishop presented a handsome altar cloth, with the appropriate initials embroidered by Miss Stanley.

[2][14] With the growth of Norwich during the 19th century, Pockthorpe, where most of the parish lived, became notorious for the acute poverty and poor housing conditions of its population.

[9] An 1851 report to the General Board of Health noted that wastewater from the stables of the barracks in the parish flowed along a ditch under houses in the area, and that a lack of running water caused the refuse to become stagnant.

[22] The building is currently occupied by the Norwich Puppet Theatre, a nationally unique venue dedicated to puppetry.

[24] The work done involved the conversion of the nave into an auditorium using old cinema seats, and the chancel was made into a performance area.

A fourth bay at the west end of the nave is separated by two piers that assist in supporting the brick-topped tower.

[27] During the late 15th century the west tower-bay and the north wall were rebuilt to allow the staircase for the rood loft to be added.

Several are now at St Mary Magdalene, Norwich, including a 16th-century Flemish roundel depicting the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.

[32] Writing in the 18th century, Blomefield described a Lady chapel in the church, as well as a number of inscriptions on monumental brasses and tombstones.

He copied memorials in the church, including brasses for Johanna Rysyng, Elizabeth Calthorp, and "Walteri Ftyer et Margarete Urori".

Oswald, Sitha, Walstan, Blaise, Blida, Helen, Jean of Valois (dated 1515), Jude, Martin, Simon, Agnes, etc.".

[34] Evidence suggests that the panels in the group are related by their date of construction, which has been determined using bequests that mention the screens, and the results of dendrochronology.

The Assumption of Mary and two seraphs once formed the centrepiece, but these were removed following the Reformation—a dark area on the velvet reveals where these once were.

Other rectors, curates or vicars include Nicholas Gilman (1604–1626), John Barnham (1626–1662), William Herne (1735–1776), James Newton (1776–1811), Bell Cook (1826 –1843),[41] Alfred Davies (1873–1896),[42] Herbert Pitts (1929–1950),[43] and Malcolm Menin (1962–1973).