The church was founded in 1576 by the inhabitants of the quartiere, and dedicated to the Madonna della Catena, an important Marian cult in Naples and Sicily.

The legend holds that in 1390 in Palermo, three innocent, yet condemned, prisoners had their execution delayed due to a downpour.

The church has the tomb of the painter Jusepe de Ribera, called Spagnoletto.

In the church is buried since 1799, the Admiral Francesco Caracciolo, who was executed by orders of Horatio Nelson.

The church was linked to the Feast of the Chain, which until thirty years ago took place in early September.