It is said that a church was erected at South Malling to St Michael the Archangel in the early Saxon Period. Most historians believe it was founded by Caedwalla, King of the West Saxons who abdicated in 688.  Others think the foundation is ascribed to Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, acknowledged and confirmed by Stephen in 1143. The church was originally a collegiate church recorded in the Domesday Book where the canons of Malling are recorded to have held four hides in the manor.

This medieval church, Saxon in origin, was pulled down in 1550 – the funding for rebuilding in 1626-8 being provided by John Stansfield a Puritan.

The 1851 Religious Census, South Malling Church

Free sittings 96, others 150 = 243

Attendence Morning 45 + 37 = 82; Afternoon 99 + 40 = 139

John Warburton, Perpetual Curate elect