It is dedicated to St. Quirinus of Neuss, a prominent Roman martyr of the third century, revered in Neuss as the body of the martyr moved to this city in the year 1050, a gift of Pope Leo IX to Abbess Gepa.

In 2009 the church was recognized by Pope Benedict XVI with the title of minor basilica.

It is also one of the last big churches build to house pilgrims with the cloaf-leafed (German: Dreikonchenstil) common in the Rhine-area – the bench seats in 90 degree angle have a rounded curvature at the outer side.

Building began at 9th of October 1209 as stated in cornerstone found in the south side of the clover-leafed bench seating.

The dome of Quirinus featured magnificent internal features like a Ciborium above the main altar similar to Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls and similar churches in Rome built in Gothic Revival architecture.