A hundred years ago, the occupants of the scattered homes and cottages bordering the Green or straggling along the Horsham or Ewhurst roads were dependent for Church worship on Okewood, Ewhurst or Ockley. Ecclesiastically it was under the jurisdiction of the Incumbent of Okewood, and to that beautiful old church, uniquely situated in the woods, many Victorian families would think nothing of tramping several miles on Sundays with their children to and from church. At some period about 1870, and possibly prior to that date, there was a small jack-of-all-trades building, known as the Institute. This was on the site of the present Unmanned Telephone Exchange, which adjoins the present churchyard. This Institute was used, among other village activities, for occasional Divine Worship. Evening Services were held there on alternate Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the winter, 8 p.m. in summer. Later, in 1882, there was an evening service on the 1st Sunday in the month at 7:30 p.m.

It was the Congregationalists who were the first to build a place for regular worship. In 1877, a Chapel was built on "a parcel of waste land" nearly opposite the pond, and continued as such for over 80 years. By all accounts, this Chapel was welcomed and was well patronised; in face a real building, dedicated to God, and not to be shared with numerous village activities. In this second half of the 19th century, religious feeling was very strong and contentious, many holding strong views on the Church of England, Methodism and Congregationalism.

The Reverend Archibald Augustus Knollys was Vicar of Okewood from 1887 until 1897. Many a time, visiting in his scattered parish, he must have had visions of a permanent place of worship. In 1887, ten years after the building of the Congregational Chapel, land was purchased for the erection of an Anglican Mission Room. The site was at the corner of Tillies Farm, where now stands the telephone kiosk. Dedicated to St. Barnabas, it was of corrugated iron externally, with presumably timber walls inside. A large stove heated the building in winter, and services were held every Sunday. This Mission Room was in a real sense a godsend, the scattered residents attending regularly, with a Curate appointed to assist at this end of the scattered parish.

Before the building of the present church, there occurred a tragedy of deep concern. Just outside the boundary of the parish, on rising ground with wonderful views, Pratsham Grange was built for the Hensley family. Charles and Christina Hensley lived there with their two sons and two daughters. In 1892, the elder son, Everard, was fatally shot by his cousin while rabbit shooting. As a lasting memorial to their son, the Hensley decision was to build a church at Forest Green.

The building of a church is far more complicated than that of an ordinary dwelling. Ecclesiastical authorities had to be approached, legal faculties obtained from the Diocese, an architect had to be employed. In all probability there were frustrations and exasperations, and from conception to completion, four years passed. A small building built of local Surrey brick, and capable of seating 90, its proportions are such that all is in keeping with the surroundings. While entering, one is struck by the simplicity and complete lack of fuss. In the belfry are two manually operated bells, nothing melodious or soul stirring about the tone, but the message reaches across the Green. Colour is introduced by the stained glass in the five East windows, all of which are dedicated to the Hensleys or their cousins the Burneys. On the extreme right are the strangely moving windows for Ernest Charles Everard Hensley, 1874-1892, depicting a youthful face.

The Churchyard, as in all villages, bears names, some forgotten, others still of well-known families in the neighbourhood. Surrounding this peaceful resting-place are fields and countryside, the happy donkeys, grazing at ease.