The church is noted for the architecture of its building, its location on Museum Mile, its outreach, thrift, music and arts programs, and some of its congregation members.

The church was founded in 1865 (officially established in 1868) by American Civil War veterans, with the assistance of the Reverend Robert Shaw Howland.

[2] The limestone church was designed in the neo-Gothic style by the firm Mayers, Murray & Phillip, successors to Bertram Goodhue.

The funeral of Chester A. Arthur, former President of the United States, was held at the church in 1886,[6] and the ashes of the actress Gloria Swanson were interred there in 1983.

In the film, Kevin finds his wife Mary Ann sitting on a bench in the church, where she reveals her naked body to be covered in cuts and bruises, accusing Milton (Satan) of raping her.