It was built for George Howard, who later became the 9th Earl of Carlisle, together with other contributors, and was constructed between 1874 and 1878; the tower was added in 1906.

[2] It was the successor to Brampton Old Church, situated about 1 mile (2 km) to the west of the town centre.

[4] St Martin's is built in red sandstone from Wetheral quarry; it has green slate roofs and a lead spire.

Its plan consists of a square west tower, a four-bay nave with north and south aisles, and a single-bay chancel with a two-storey vestry to the north and an organ chamber to the south; the body of the church is almost square.

At the top of the tower are gables to the west and east, and shaped parapets to the north and south.

[2] On each side of the nave is a four-bay arcade supported by octagonal piers; there is no chancel arch.

[5] The east window was a memorial to Charles Howard, MP, brother of the 8th Earl of Carlisle.

The chapel contains an altar panel by Byam Shaw, and a carpet with a William Morris design.

This is also constructed in red sandstone with a slate roof, and pre-dates the church, being built in the early 19th century.