In 1140, the church was given by Robert Warelwast, Bishop of Exeter to the Canons of Plympton Priory, and served by their vicars.

In 1189 the patronage was recovered from the Priory by John le Sor, Lord of Tolverne, and from that date the incumbents have been Rectors.

It was restored in 1872 and re-opened by the Bishop on Monday 18 November 1872 who arrived at the church on HMS Ganges, the guest of Captain Tinklar.

A new stone arch opening into the north transept was provided, and the floor was paved with Minton and Hollins encaustic tiles.

[4][5][6] The grave of Charles Bowen Cooke (illustrated above right), a notable locomotive engineer, is in the churchyard.