Despite having lost its monastery, the site continued in use as a parish church, and the first mention of a permanent church building on the site dates from the 12th century. The medieval church lasted (after restoration in the 18th century) until 1820, when it was demolished. The building which replaced it lasted in use only for forty years before it was deemed too small and was replaced by the current structure. The 1820–1860 church was dismantled and re-erected at Leckwith, where it was re-dedicated to St James. The building still stands, though has since been converted into a pair of houses. The present St Dochdwy's Church was designed by S. C. Fripp of Bristol and built by David Jones of Penarth for a cost of £2,600. Fripp was inspired by William Butterfield's work on St Augustine's Church in Penarth, which was completed in the same year.
