The existing church has been dated to the 15th century, with the nave and chancel possibly of an earlier date. The first record of a church at Maker dates to the 12th century, when one was granted to Plympton Priory. The church's prominent position has made it a landmark for navigators, and its tower was used as an Admiralty signal station during the 18th century and Napoleonic Wars.
1873–74 restoration
A major restoration of the church was undertaken in 1873–74, at a time when much of the building had fallen into decay, including the windows, pews, chancel fittings, roof and flooring. When Rev. F. T. Wintle became vicar of the parish in 1866, he began fundraising towards a restoration scheme. A working committee was formed and Mr. James Piers St Aubyn of London hired as the architect. Mr. Philip Blowey of Buckland Monachorum was contracted to carry out the work, which cost approximately £1,662 with another £75 for the installation of a heating apparatus. Contributions to the fund were received from the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and the local landowner Lord Clinton. The entire church was re-roofed and extensively renovated. The building was reseated in pitch pine, the chancel refitted in wainscot and the floor relaid with encaustic tiles, supplied by Webb of Worcester. With the removal of the galleries, additional space was made with the creation of a new south aisle, the arches of which are constructed of granite from Bere Alston. During the restoration an ancient fireplace was discovered and its flue utilised for the new heating apparatus. The Earl commissioned Messrs. Lavers and Barrand of London to create a memorial window in remembrance of his aunts, Lady Brownlow and Lady Caroline Macdonald, and his father's elder brother. The church's reopening on 18 June 1874 was attended by the Bishop of Exeter, Frederick Temple, and the Earl and members of his family. In 1875, the church's harmonium was replaced by an organ built by Messrs Hele & Co of Plymouth at a cost of cost £230. It was installed in the north transept and opened on 16 July 1875. A chapel of ease, St Paul's, was opened in 1882 to serve the village of Kingsand.
Design
St Mary and St Julian's is built of local red sandstone, with dressings in granite, in the Perpendicular style. It is made up of a nave, north and south aisles, chancel, north transept, south porch and a three-stage tower to the west. An additional south aisle was added in the restoration of 1873–74 and is known as the Edgcumbe Chapel. The church's font is of Norman origin and was formerly at St Merryn. The sundial erected above the entrance is dated 1768 and the holy water stoup in the porch was discovered in the churchyard in 1923. The tower contains six bells, which were recast in 1808 but are of an earlier date.
