Newchurch is one of the seven original parishes on the Island, and formerly included Ryde and Ventnor. The church was originally built by Fitz Osborne during the reign of William the Conqueror although it has undergone a great del of change. The wooden section of the tower was rebuilt during the reign of Queen Anne with its present design with the distinctive white weather boards.

Up until 1990 the six bells were hung in a wooden frame in the wooden part of the tower. The bells went poorly as the frame and tower twisted, were badly out of tune, and the strain on the tower was too much for ringing to continue. In 1990 the bells were removed and taken to the Whitechapel foundry in London. The third was recast and the bells tuned, and returned to hang in a new metal frame supported by the stone part of the tower. The bells are now tuneful and easy to ring.