Brief History

 In 1200 King John provided an endowment to provide for a priest and to build the chantry chapel. The chancel was originally built in the 14th century although was rebuilt at the later period. In 1453 Henry IV licensed the rectors and churchwardens to acquire land to provide an income for the repair of the building and to pay chantry priest to celebrate daily services. This was done because the people of Woodstock were too poor to maintain the church themselves.


 Norman South doorway is the original feature from the 12th century.
After the Reformation Woodstock suffered as did many other churches around the country. Some carvings and paintings were destroyed by the puritans. The 17th  century saw the church considerably altered to suit ideas of worship at the time. Woodstock rectory was built in 1686 and the first rector to live there was John Hersent. rectors were appointed by the King until 1764 when patronage was transferred by the crown to the Duke of Marlborough.
 
By 1759 the church tower was in dangerous state and £700 was donated for a new one. In 1783 a committee was appointed to rebuild the tower and enlarge the church. The new tower was built in 1784; originally it was surmounted by a parapet with pinnacles and balustrade. After the Second World War a survey revealed that the pinnacles and balustrade were unsafe and they were removed in 1948. In 1969 they were replaced and the tower was restored.