The church is mentioned in the Domesday Book and is believed to go back deep into Saxon times.
The main body of the present building (at least the third on the site) dates from the end of the reign of Edward III (1377) to that of Henry VII (1485–1509).
The nave was finished before 1475 and it is notable for its uniformity of gothic perpendicular style.
It is likely that the south aisle wall was the first part of the building to be constructed in the early 1380s, with the remainder of the nave and transepts being from the early 15th century.
The tower was completed in the reign of Henry VIII.

The church was owned by Lenton Priory from 1108 to 1538 and the monks took the living of the church as Rector, and appointed a Vicar to perform the daily offices.

In 1513, a school was founded in the church by Dame Agnes Mellers as The Free School of the Town of Nottingham.
This is now Nottingham High School.
In the Foundation Deed, Mellers provided that a Commemoration Service should be held in the church "on the Feast of The Translation of St Richard of Chichester".
With the exception of the Goose Fair, it is the most ancient ceremonial event still perpetuated in the City of Nottingham,
George Fox founder of the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as the Quakers or Friends, was imprisoned in Nottingham in 1649 after interrupting the preacher at St Mary's.

Nottingham Bluecoat School was founded in 1706, and the first lessons were taught in the porch of the church.

For several years from 1716, the church was used to house the town fire engine.
It was kept at the west end, and was still there until at least 1770.

St Mary's opened a workhouse in 1726 at the south end of Mansfield Road and ran it until 1834 when responsibility for workhouses was transferred from parishes to secular Boards of Guardians.
The workhouse was demolished in 1895 to clear part of the site needed for the construction of the Nottingham Victoria railway station.

The church was closed for 5 years from 1843 for a major restoration.
It re-opened on 19 May 1848 when the Bishop of Lincoln John Kaye presided.
The church is mentioned in the Domesday Book and is believed to go back deep into Saxon times. The main body of the present building (at least the third on the site) dates from the end of the reign of Edward III (1377) to that of Henry VII (1485–1509). The nave was finished before 1475 and it is notable for its uniformity of gothic perpendicular style. It is likely that the south aisle wall was the first part of the building to be constructed in the early 1380s, with the remainder of the nave and transepts being from the early 15th century. The tower was completed in the reign of Henry VIII.
The church was owned by Lenton Priory from 1108 to 1538 and the monks took the living of the church as Rector, and appointed a Vicar to perform the daily offices.
In 1513, a school was founded in the church by Dame Agnes Mellers as The Free School of the Town of Nottingham. This is now Nottingham High School. In the Foundation Deed, Mellers provided that a Commemoration Service should be held in the church "on the Feast of The Translation of St Richard of Chichester". With the exception of the Goose Fair, it is the most ancient ceremonial event still perpetuated in the City of Nottingham,
George Fox founder of the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as the Quakers or Friends, was imprisoned in Nottingham in 1649 after interrupting the preacher at St Mary's.
Nottingham Bluecoat School was founded in 1706, and the first lessons were taught in the porch of the church.
For several years from 1716, the church was used to house the town fire engine. It was kept at the west end, and was still there until at least 1770.
St Mary's opened a workhouse in 1726 at the south end of Mansfield Road and ran it until 1834 when responsibility for workhouses was transferred from parishes to secular Boards of Guardians. The workhouse was demolished in 1895 to clear part of the site needed for the construction of the Nottingham Victoria railway station.
The church was closed for 5 years from 1843 for a major restoration. It re-opened on 19 May 1848 when the Bishop of Lincoln John Kaye presided.
St Mary's Church, Nottingham