The present church was built on the highest point in the Galle fort, which stands more than 12 m (39 ft) above sea level.

In 1755 the Commandeur of Galle, Casparus de Jong (Lord of Spanbroek), and his wife Geertruyda Adriana Le Grand donated the money for the church to be constructed as a thanksgiving for the birth of their daughter for which he had waited for many years.

The church has no central tower inside to bear the weight of the roof and as a result is compensated by the addition of two large dutch gables to the north and to the south.

High pews were erected along the walls for the Commandeur, the Deacons and the Dutch East India Company (VOC) officials.

The pews along the southern end were dismantled to accommodate the altar and communion rails of the Anglican community who were allowed to use the church from the time of the early British rule down to 1867.

[2] The church did not suffer any damage from the tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake due to its relative height and protection by the walls of the Galle fort.