It is generally believed that there was a 6th century church or monastery in the village which was the main place of worship until the 12th century, when Herewald (1056-1104) consecrated the 'new' Church, when he was Bishop of Llandaff.

It is not clear as to whether the church is dedicated to St David or St Arthney (of whom nothing is known), unless he was Arthen (4th son of Brychan Brycheiniog). It has, however, been dedicated to St David since the 12th century.

Little of the original Norman Tower remains today, the base from the 13th century, being the oldest part remaining.

The nave and chancel probably date to the 13th century. In 1826 the arcade separating the nave and south aisle was removed and a single roof spanning from the north wall to south wall was formed, with a flat ceiling overall. This created a nonconformist type of interior.

The body of the church has a small number of fine 18th and 19th century wall monuments. On the north wall there is a monument to E H Adams of Middleton Hall, carved by E Griffin of Regent Street, London, in 1843. On the south wall can be seen a monument, dated 1847, to Sir William (d. 1824) and Dame Ann Paxton, (d. 1846).

In 1807 Sir William Paxton was elected one of the Churchwardens.

In the porch for over a hundred years has stood a cross of the 10th or 11th century, Caercastell Cross, named from the field in which it was found on Ffinnant Uchaf land.