Early Norman, with no traces of anything Saxon. The large tower is visible for miles, but it was never fortified. The tower has 3 storeys, the central one being the Priest's Room for the visiting priest from Canterbury, to administer the Manor. The Church then belonged to Christ Church, Canterbury. It was probably built between 1096 and 1107, using un-knapped flints and Qwarr stone from the Isle of Wight.
Some windows were replaced in 14th and 15th Centuries. There was originally an Anchorite Cell with a squint towards the altar. It was demolished in the reformation.
The original stone altar slab was discarded in the churchyard, and finally reinstated in 1966.
The church is famous for its wall paintings. In the chancel they are all around 1250-60 and depict the Nativity, Ministry and Passion of Our Lord, coloured in black and white. However the black colours were originally vivid reds which discoloured. Traces of gold leaf were also found on the walls. Paintings in the nave depict the life of St Christopher and the death of The Virgin Mary, in red and white. These date to the mid 14th C. There are also paintings in the tower room, not normally open to the public. The paint was applied in secco, painting on dry plaster, possibly by artists working on Canterbury Cathedral.
These paintings are among some of the most important in England.
See other images of St Mary's church, Brook