 The tower seems typical of 14th century, and Pevsner dated it as such, but it may well be substantially older, with parts perhaps dating to the 12th century.To the east of the church is four-metre structure of flint and rubble, almost certainly part of a circular tower and perhaps part of an earlier church.The area was formerly the site of the Priory of the Holy Cross, a monastic priory dedicated to Thomas Becket founded in 1274 and dissolved in 1538, though there is some doubt as to whether it was in Little Whelnetham or Great Whelnetham.