[3] In 1633 the parish of Martindale was founded and Richard Birkett became the church's first resident priest, he served until his death on Christmas Day 1699, after a ministry of almost 67 years.

[4] The present building was probably erected at the end of the 16th century, replacing the chapel, the last reference to which occurs in a document of 13 April 1541.

In 1839, William Ford, in his book "Description of Scenery in the Lake District" described the building as "a chapel with low roof and simple bell-gable, and a picturesque yew-tree".

[5] The church underwent a series of restorations, the last of which was in 1882 when the roof was replaced, the old box pews were removed and the same wood was used to construct the side benches.

His epitaph states that he was 95 years old when he died and left a sum of £100 "towards the better maintenance of a godly, sober and religious Minister at Martindale Chapell".