The oldest part of the present building is the reset south door, from the 12th century, which accords with a popular (though seemingly unsubstantiated) foundation date of 1111.

[2] In 1864–66 it was rebuilt, other than the medieval tower, by the Lancaster architect E. G. Paley, providing seating for about 1,400 people.

[8] The interior of the church was reordered in 2008–09; this included the provision of a refreshment and meeting area.

Hyde and Pevsner in the Buildings of England series state that it is neither complete, nor is it in its original position.

[2] A three-manual organ was built in 1866 by Thomas Wilkinson of Kendal, replacing an earlier instrument.

[10] A 20th century organ by the Lancashire builder Thomas Pendlebury was moved from a church elsewhere and was installed in St Mary's in 1972.

The church contains a number of monuments, the oldest, erected in 1588, is to William Sandys, who died in 1559.