In the Middle Ages Titchfield was a thriving market-town.and port, as well as the'centre of a large parish. From early times there was agriculture and livestock, with markets and fairs. Within Titchfield there was tanning, milling brewing, weaving and many other activities. A water mill at Titchfield was mentioned in the Domesday Book. By medieval times Titchfield had become a small market town.

From the thirteenth century the church was in the patronage of a powerful monastery. The size of the church reflects these factors.

The first alterations to the Anglo-Saxon church seem to have taken place in the second half of the twelfth century. An aisle was thrown out on the south side of the nave and the elaborate doorway opening from the porch to the nave was inserted.

Towards the end of the same century the porch was raised to form a tower. In the thirteenth century the chancel was lengthened to its present size.

From the thirteenth century, stimulus was provided for the church by the foundation of Titchfield Abbey and a longer chancel was built. In 1231 Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester invited a group of canons from the Premonstratensian Abbey at Halesowen in Worcestershire to establish a new community at Titchfield, and a site was chosen half a mile north of the town. It was occupied by the Premonstratensian White Canons, who based their rules on those of St Augustine, for 300 years. Augustines teachings emphasised the complete sinfulness of man, who must rely totally on God's forgiveness and redeeming power. Peter des Roches gave the church of Titchfield, with its chapels and substantial income, to the monastery. One canon from the Abbey normally served as the canon-vicar at Titchfield church and so from 1283 the vicars of Titchfield were canons of the Abbey.

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