The building was once the rectory to St. Chad's Church (just across the road), and was then owned by the Owen family whose descendants were the patrons of the Parish of Bucknall-cum-Bagnall. The Reverend Samuel Hubert Owen is buried in the churchyard. (Rev. Owen was the son of Alfred Owen of Wood Hey, Wrexham, an industrialist who was to found the motor car components firm of Rubery Owen).

The building was substantially remodelled in in the 19th century when its roof was raised and the upper windows were repositioned. The porch and unusual stone-roofed bay were also added at this time.