The church stands in the grounds of Holywell Hall, a 17thc. house built for the Goodhall family. The church was built c. 1700 to the S of the house, re-using material from Aunby Chapel for the W doorway, the E window, and the 12thc. piers that carry the bell tower. St. Wilfred's is a single-cell chapel with a short bell tower built over the W end of the nave. There was an interior renovation done in 1864.

Although it is not mentioned by name, it is assumed that Holywell formed part of the 7 carucates held by Earl Morcar in 1066, and by Ingelrann and Earnwulf from Drogo de la Beuvriere in 1086. (see Foster).

It is clear that the present tower arch supports and their capitals performed a different function at Aunby Chapel. Presumably they were arcade piers. Aunby is a deserted medieval village and nothing remains on the ground where the chapel was believed to stand, on the basis of skeletons, stone coffins and architectural fragments found there in 1855 (see Historic England Research Records 348318)