Originally a small chapel in 1785 when the Sabtang mission first opened by the Dominicans,[1][2] the church underwent few modifications until 1984.

[3] Sabtang was recognized as a mission vicariate in 1844,[4] more than a century after the forced evacuation of the Isabtangs following the execution of the local datu Aman Dangat of Malacdang for alleged murder of the Cagayano agents sent by the Spaniards to the island in 1791 to procure supplies.

[2] Father Antonio Vicente became the first vicar of the resettlement when Sabtang was re-established in 1844 and he began the construction of a church made of lime and stone together with the attached convent in that same year.

Under Father Rafael Cano, the side altar of Our Lady of the Rosary was created, a guest room was added inside the convent, a school house for children was constructed, and a seawall fronting the seaport was made.

[5][2] In 1983 to 1984, the cogon roofing of the church was replaced by galvanized iron sheets by Father Rafael Carpintero, OP.