The Parish of Crossmichael is recorded as far back as the 12th century. A building was believed to be present prior to 1547 as the earliest tombstone in the churchyard is dates thus. The present building dates from 1751, but includes the round tower of earlier date. Some evidence suggests that the round tower was built around 1611 by Sir Robert Gordon of Kenmure. The date on the bell (1611) tends to confirm this.

The gravestone above is of William Graham, a young covenanter who was shot by a party of Claverhouse's dragoons while trying to flee from his mother's house at Mollance.

The plaque above bears the names of William & Robert Gordon of Airds and the date 1629. The Gordons were important landowners at that time and the reference to Airds is interesting as the lands of Airds of Crossmichael apear in early documents. The name Airds was however used elsewhere, notably at Airds of Kells on the oposite side of the loch, the home of another famous member of the Gordon family, Alexander Gordon.