In the south aisle are some ancient carved stones dating back to the Norman era.

The church and its lands were given by the second Baron of Wich Malbank to Combermere Abbey early in the 12th century.

Following the dissolution of the monasteries, the advowson was granted to Richard Wilbraham and it then passed to the Lords Tollemache.

When it was built it was over 100 feet (30 m) high but its top collapsed in a storm in March 1757 damaging the roof of the church and the clerestory.

This included reflooring and reroofing the church, removing the plaster ceilings, rebuilding the north wall of the north aisle and the clerestory, installing heating apparatus, and adding a new pulpit, porches, and doors.

The authors of the Buildings of England series state that this early date is rare for towers in Cheshire.

The upper parts of the tower, built after the collapse of 1757, are by William Baker in early Gothic Revival style.

The authors of the Buildings of England series state that the body of the church is mostly Perpendicular in style.

It includes the recumbent effigies in marble of Sir Thomas and his wife, Elizabeth.

[7][9] The reredos includes the Ten Commandments to the north of the altar and the Lord's Prayer and the Creed to the south.

The two-manual organ was made by Alex Young and Sons of Manchester in 1897, and was renovated in 1939, and again in 1997.

On top of this has been added a square moulded cap surmounted by a ball finial.

He was immortalised in one of the best known of all cricket poems, At Lord's by Francis Thompson, which contains the following lines: It is little I repair to the matches of the Southron folk, Though my own red roses there may blow; It is little I repair to the matches of the Southron folk, Though the red roses crest the caps, I know.

O my Hornby and my Barlow long ago!St Mary's continues to be active as an Anglican parish church.

The group of churches is also involved with community activities including Praise & Play for pre-school children and their carers, the Holy Disorder youth club and the 1st Darnhall Guides and Brownies.