Built between 1887 and 1889 the church is situated within a 1840s denominational cemetery which houses the gravesites of many of Onehunga's fencible colonial settlers.

[2][3] Our Lady of the Assumption and the surrounding churchyard are located in Onehunga on land formerly occupied by Māori iwi Te Waiohua and Ngāti Whātua.

The first Catholic parish priest, Father Cleary was assigned by 1850 and in 1851 a small wooden church was built named St Mary's.

The floor is of concrete, finished with Portland cement, the aisles being laid with tiles; the roof is open-timbered one, covered with galvanised iron.

In the chancel, above the altar, is a three-light traceried window, filled with stained glass, with a representation of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin.

Mr. Kemp was the contractor for the building, whilst Mr J. Henderson did the glaziers's work, the gas-fitting being placed by Mr. Randall.Designed in the Gothic Revival-style, Our Lady Of Assumption is a Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga certified site.

[8] William Kemp (1984–1906), prominent member of the Auckland Catholic community, builder, bricklayer was responsible for the construction of the church.

The cemetery was established 40 years before the Church and houses the gravesites of many of Onehunga's early fencible settler community.

[11] A service in September 2018 saw worship in the English, Samoan, Tongan, Rotuman, Slovakian, Afrikaans, Filipino and Tamil language.

Ledingham and his brothers were victims of the late Father Francis Green, an authority figure at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption.