The establishment of this church and seminary was patronised by Giovanna Aragona Ventimiglia, Marchioness of Giarratana.

The design by the Jesuit architect Angelo Italia created the octagonal layout of the interior we see today.

On 29 November 1711 the church was consecrated by the archbishop of Mazara del Vallo Bartolomeo Castelli.

[1] After the expulsion of the Jesuits from the Kingdom of Naples in 1767, the seminary was converted into a trade school for the lower classes (bassa gente).

On the left, the chapels are dedicated respectively to the Holy Family, St Francis Xavier, and Santa Rosalia.