Its façade, an outstanding example of Maltese Baroque architecture, was built in 1738 to designs of Giovanni Bonavia.

A shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Graces existed in Żabbar since at least the 16th century, and it was sacked by the Ottomans during a raid in 1614.

During one of the bombardments in November 1799, a cannon ball hit the church's dome, and a woman was killed by falling stones.

Meanwhile, Maltese insurgents built an artillery battery near the church in order to bombard French positions.

[8] The church's façade includes a colonnaded portico having rectangular recesses topped by an entablature, a cornice and balustrades.