It was first built in 1615 with the dedication 'Santa Maria delle Vergini', on the site of a pre-existing church of the same name and assigned to the care of Augustinian monks of the neighboring 'Collegio della Madonna del Rifugio'.

Its facade dates to 1681 and is attributed to Mattia de Rossi - a bell-tower was added in 1689.

In 1904 the Chiesa di Santa Rita da Cascia in Campitelli was deconstructed to make way for the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument.

This meant the Confraternity of the Holy Crown of thorns of Our Lord Saviour Jesus Christ and of Saint Rita of Cascia (Confraternita della Santa Spina della Corona di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo e di santa Rita da Cascia) had to move to the former church of Santa Maria delle Vergini, which it reopened, reconsecrated and rededicated to Saint Rita of Cascia.

To the left of the entrance is a chapel in the form of the grotto at Our Lady of Lourdes, dedicated in 1912.