The church was built in 1866, designed by Edward Holmes in a Geometrical style.

The nave arcades have octagonal piers with heavy, crocketed capitals and arches of blue York and red Alton stone in bands, and the high and wide chancel arch rests on corbels with short, detached stone shafts.

The stained-glass east window, depicting the life of St John the Evangelist, is by William Warrington of London.

The east end of the south aisle was fitted out as a Lady chapel in 1928 with a memorial window for Sarah Auden depicting St Chad and St Hilda with Celtic motifs.

[2] The rood screen was erected in memory of the 130 men of Horninglow killed in the First World War.