Inspired by the church of Trinità dei Monti in Rome, the architect Tilman-François Suys decided to create a church resembling one of Rome's many basilicas with a flat apse choir.

The Apostolic Nuncio, Cardinal Giacomo Cattani, consecrated the church on 24 June 1874 and also made it the National Shrine of Saint Joseph.

The church was occupied by the Redemptorists for many decades until it was looked after by the Syriac Orthodox from 1989 to 2001.

It was then acquired by the Priory of Christ the King of the Society of St. Pius X, offering a much needed place of worship for their growing number of parishioners.

Its vault is 18 metres (59 ft) high and is supported by two rows of Corinthian columns that separate the two aisles of the main church.