It was originally built in 1842–43 as a memorial chapel to Ferdinand Philippe, Duke of Orléans, the heir to King Louis-Philippe of France, who was killed in a road accident in 1842.

Its notable decoration includes stained glass windows designed by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, and sculpture by Henri de Triqueti.

The church was considered an illustration of the "Juste milieu" or "Golden Mean", a popular philosophical concept in the period, seeking an absence of excess and a harmonious balance of styles.

It was moved I'm 1970 to its present location at the Porte des Ternes, at the edge of the city and between a major highway below and two converging streets.

The interior of the church was planned by the painter Ary Scheffer, who was very popular at the time for his paintings featuring literary and religious themes; and who was very close to the Duke Ferdinand-Philippe d'Orleans.

[8] The major work of sculpture in the church is a cenotaph (a funeral monument to a person buried elsewhere) of Duke Ferdinand-Philippe d'Orléans, designed by the painter Ary Scheffer and made by the sculptor Henri-Joseph de Triqueti with Carrara marble, It depicts the Duke in his military uniform, as he was found on the road shortly before his death.

The glass-makers at the Sevres Porcelain workshop in Paris copied the full-size color drawings made by Ingres, which are now on display in the Louvre.