The parish church of St Mary the Virgin, came into existence when the parish of South Baddesley was formed out of Boldre parish in 1858. At that time a small chapel, which had stood on the site for at least forty years, was enlarged to form the present church. That small chapel was the replacement for an earlier chapel situated very near to Pylewell House. This chapel dated back to 1731 and itself replaced and ancient chapel from the 14th century.