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St. Martin's Church at Shutford is a small stone building comprising chancel, nave, north aisle, north chapel, and a tower, standing at the west end of the north aisle. The oldest parts of the structure date from the late 12th century. The nave arcade of two pointed arches is supported by a pier and responds with Romanesque scalloped capitals, and the Romanesque west window of the aisle remains in the west wall of the later tower. There are remains of 12th-century masonry in the south wall of the nave, although most of the nave was rebuilt in the 14th century. The chancel walls and chancel arch are probably 13th century, but the east window was remodelled in the 14th century. The north chapel, which projects in the manner of a transept, is lighted by lancet windows which indicate that it, too, dates from the 13th century. The battlemented tower was added in the 15th century. There is an oak screen with openwork tracery probably of early-15thcentury date. The font dates from the end of the 12th century.

In 1674 the Warden of New College found both church and chancel in good repair. In 1755 the walls were repointed, the floor repaired, and new steps made to the pulpit. In 1837 and 1840, however, neglect was reported, and the vicar considered the church in 'a disgraceful state'. The building was thoroughly restored in 1841: the north wall of the aisle, the east wall of the chancel, and parts of the north chapel were restored, the aisle and chapel reroofed, the singers' gallery removed, the church reseated and repaved, the mutilated windows together with the screen repaired, and a new altar (since replaced) erected. The chancel was rebuilt in 1862. In 1923 the roofs of the nave and chancel were restored. Calor gas replaced the oil-lamps in 1937.

In the early 19th century there were extensive remains of early wall paintings.

The church owns a small Elizabethan chalice (1571–5).

There are two bells, one of which dates from 1675. They were rehung in 1844, when one was recast. 

The register of baptisms begins in 1698, burials in 1699, and marriages in 1702.

Historical information about St. Martin's Church is provided by Christina Colvin, Janet Cooper, N H Cooper, P D A Harvey, Marjory Hollings, Judith Hook, Mary Jessup, Mary D Lobel, J F A Mason, B S Trinder and Hilary Turner, 'Parishes: Swalcliffe', in A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 10, Banbury Hundred, ed. Alan Crossley (London, 1972), pp. 225-260. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/oxon/vol10/pp225-260 [accessed 20 February 2023].

St. Martin's Church is a Grade II* listed building. For more information about the listing see CHURCH OF ST MARTIN, Shutford - 1184161 | Historic England.

For more information about St. Martin's Church see Parishes: Swalcliffe | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk).