The current church is the fourth on the present site on the hill just south of the village, the first being in the 11th century, the lower part of the tower along with the present church being built in the 14th century. The legend is that the church was to be built in the meadow at the bottom of the hill, but each day the workmen found the stones had been moved to the top. It was decided that this must be God's will, hence "Godshill". The upper stage of the tower with pinnacles was built in the 16th century.

The ring of six bells were all cast by Llewellins and James of Bristol in 1887, replacing the previous bells of 1815 by Mears & Stainbank of London. It is one of the few complete rings by this founder remaining.

The cannons on the top of each bell were removed by John Taylor of Loughborough in 1934 (previously the tenor weight was 9-1-2) as part of the work of retuning (some would say "tuning") and rehanging on ball bearings in a new eight bell metal frame. All bells are inscribed Cast by Llewellins and James, Bristol, 1887.