The church was built by the Bottreaux (Boterell) family, and given along with the sub-chapel of Tremaine to Launceston Priory in 1160. The church was then served by Canons from the Priory and did not have its own vicar until the dissolution of the monasteries.

The history is closely tied to Penheale Manor. Penheale was part of the large estates held by the Bottreaux family in North Cornwall, and it is thought that the original Norman church was built on the orders of William Bottreaux. Many of the monuments in the church commemorate later owners of Penheale such as the Speccot family and the Lethbridge family.