The area fell within the parish of St Mary Bishophill Junior. Much housing was constructed in the district in the 1840s, and it was decided to build a new church. A site was found on the north side of Holgate Road. A building was designed by J. B. and W. Atkinson, in the Gothic Revival style. It was constructed from 1850 to 1851, designed to seat 700 worshippers. It was consecrated on 3 January 1856, and was given its own parish later in the month. Part of the nave was given to extend the chancel in 1890, and a new east window was added in 1906, to a design by George Fowler Jones. The church was Grade II listed in 1997.
The church from the northwest, in 2024
The church is built of brick faced with sandstone, and it has a slate roof. The piers are made of cast iron. It consists of a continuous nave and chancel, with north and south aisles, the nave extending one bay further west than the aisles. The west wall has buttresses and two tall pinnacles; similar pinnacles at the east end have been taken down. There is a bellcote at the gable end. There is a central doorway, flanked by narrow pointed arches, with a large rose window above. The east end has a three-light Geometrical window, while the other windows are lancets. On the north side is a vestry, and there is a basement under the north aisle.
Inside the church is a king post roof, which also has collar trusses and arched braces. There is a gallery at the west end, which has been converted into an office and meeting room.
