[3] The cornerstone of a new, grander church was laid on March 10, 1879,[4] and the cruciform edifice was completed in 1888.

[4] The Baroque revival church was designed by local architect Edwin F. Durang, and was modeled on its Roman counterpart.

[2] The interior, including the murals, was decorated by the Italian artist Nicola D'Ascenzo.

[4] The two towers of the facade, on either side of the Doric, Ionic, and Tuscan columns are each 216 feet (66 m) tall.

[6] The church was also outfitted by Villiger with a number of paintings, which included eighteen portraits by the Mexican painter Miguel Cabrera of the Jesuit Superiors General from Saint Ignatius through Lorenzo Ricci, as well as several saints.