The first stone church was built in Chirk during the early 11th Century by the Normans. However, the site of the church is originally thought to be a llan (a Welsh phrase describing a walled enclosure containing a chapel, hermit's huts and burials) dedicated to Saint Tysilio.

The church was known by the dedication of Saint Tysilio until the late 15th or early 16th century, when it was re-dedicated to Saint Mary.

In 1651 a Welsh bible was purchased for the church and in 1687 a Welsh book of Common Prayer was placed in the church.

The church of Saint Mary's remained part of the Church of England until the disestablishment of the Welsh Church in 1921. The Church in Wales remains a member of the world-wide Anglican Communion.

This very brief history was adapted from the St Mary's guide book (Rees, A J, 2004). If you are interested in the history of the church, you should read the above book, and try C N Hurdsman's book "A History of the Parish of Chirk" from Bridge Books, 1996.