The evidence for a church comes from the Manor Court records which show that a chapel was in existence in 1272, built to serve the needs of the people of the village, the market and those who passed through.

The church was extensively renovated by William Butterfield in 1871–1872, at which time the tomb of Thomas Ravenscroft, a local benefactor who died in 1630, was moved from the chancel to a newly built chapel.

These included new glass doors as the main entrance under the tower, the creation of a new choir vestry and alterations to the organ.

[6] Bishop Hall Speers, Fr Chris Ferris' predecessor final service took place on 17 November 2013.

[7] St John the Baptist, the ancient parish church of Chipping Barnet, consists of a nave and aisles separated by clustered columns which support four pointed arches; a chancel with an east window of good Perpendicular tracery; a vestry, built in the reign of James I by Thomas Ravenscroft; and at the west end, a low, square embattled tower.