Although the first mention of the church is in 1086 in Domesday Book, it was in existence by the 10th century and acted as a mother church for a large parishParish Area with its own church, served by a priest who has the spiritual care of all those living within it. The system evolved gradually, reaching completion by the 13th century in the Ribble Valley area. There are three 10th century crosses in the churchyard, one with free geometric patterns and another showing images of a bird and a saint. Other fragments of crosses and architectural patterns are on display the church or set into the walls, showing the existence of a major stone Anglo-Saxon church on the site.