Built in 1864 in the Gothic Revival style, it was, prior to its destruction, the earliest stone church constructed in the Canterbury region.

The winning architectural firm, Crouch and Wilson from Melbourne, had entered a design in the Gothic Revival style in the 1863 competition.

[5] The building was officially opened on Christmas Day 1864 and Canterbury thus had its first church built of permanent materials.

The 1888 North Canterbury earthquake caused a spire in the south-eastern corner to tilt, leading to its subsequent removal.

[9] The interior plan reflected the standard Victorian era Methodist layout of a meeting hall surrounded by galleries and was designed to accommodate 1200 people.

The replacement organ was built by Ingram & Co. in Hereford, United Kingdom and was valued at $1 million prior to the church's destruction.