The first recorded mention of Colemore is in the Domesday Book of 1086, though there is evidence in local place-names that there was a Saxon settlement in the area; and a church has stood on the site since the 10th century.
Although Colemore is on high ground, the place-name means 'cool lake'; however, there is no lake here now. There has been a long association between Colemore and Priors Dean and they have formed one parish since the 12th century when both were probably under the control of the Abbot of Hyde in Winchester. Control shifted to the Priory of Southwick at the end of the 12th century and to the Kermet family in 1221.
Following a complaint to the Bishop of Winchester in 1308 that the church was "in a ruinous condition", the parishioners were summoned to appear before the Bishop and it seems clear from the evidence of 14th century features that this resulted in extensive repairs being carried out. By the end of the 14th century, the church was under the control of Waverley Abbey and by 1463 it was again in a ruinous condition owing to the failure of the then incumbent, one John Punche, to carry out his duties. Once again the Bishop stepped in and sequestrated the living. This had the desired effect and the church was evidently in good order again by July 1464.
By 1612 the building was again in a bad state and a new roof and a low bell turret qate from this time.
In 1669 the parishioners petitioned the Bishop for the removal of the south transept, which had been disused for many years and was ruinous, and which caused the church to be extremely dark. (It has been suggested that the darkness of the church in its early years was the reason for its dedication to St. Peter ad Vincula.) In 1670 the Bishop granted the petition and the transept was
removed.
By the year 1845 the church was yet again in bad condition and a rate was levied for its repair. Work was carried out under the direction of Owen Carter, a Winchester architect, and included the provision of a number of new windows, paving the nave, and the substitution of new open benches for the old pews. However, nothing was done to the belfry, which by 1866 was very insecure; and
money was then raised by gift and rate so that a new belfry and shingled spirelet could be erected to the design of John Colson of Winchester.
In the 1870s many improvements were carried out, and the chancel walls were rebuilt completely and with care so as to re-open the squint from the north transept and replace the Easter Sepulchre. In 1879 repairs were required to the south wall of the nave, part of which was strengthened by the provision of a buttress.
There followed a further period of neglect so that by 1952 there were ominous signs of the need for extensive repairs. The small community could not raise funds to keep pace with the rate of decay and in 1972 Colemore parish was united with East Tisted, and Colemore church was declared redundant. In January 1973 the church was vested in the Redundant Churches Fund and extensive
repairs were undertaken under the direction of the Sawyer Partnership of Winchester.
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