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.[1][2][3]
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.[1][3]
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.[1]