The church building was begun during the 11th century by the Normans, although it is believed that an older llan, dedicated to St Tysilio, had pre-existed on the site. The existing church was dedicated to St Tysilio until the late 15th or early 16th century, after which it was re-dedicated to St Mary. Today, the church is a member of the Open Church Network and participates in the Sacred Space Project.

Chirk was formerly a coal mining community from the 17th to the