We do not have details of the foundation of the church, but it is conjectured to have been in the late-10thc. or early-11thc. when Botolph's cult was being promoted at Ely, Thorney and Bury by Bishop Aehelwold. The earliest mention of it is in c.1200 when the advowson belonged to the Bishop of Ely. It was appropriated by Barnwell Priory before or in the time of Bishop Eustace of Ely (1198-1215), the arrangement initiated by Bishop Hugh in 1235 being that the vicar was to receive all the tithes and income of the church for which he paid an annual rent to the Priory.