The worst disaster in the church's history occurred in 1377 when the town was
looted and set on fire by French invaders and the church was extensively damaged.
The roof fell in and the church bells were carried off to France.
They were recovered the next year when men from Rye and Winchelsea sailed to Normandy.

The 'new' clock was installed in about 1561-2 and was made by the Huguenot Lewys Billiard.
It is one of the oldest church turret clocks in the country still functioning.
The present exterior clockface and the original 'Quarter Boys' (so called because they strike the quarters but not the hours) were added in 1760.
The total weight of the 8 church bells and clappers is almost 5 tons.