Legend holds that a church at the site was built atop a Temple of Mercury by Emperor Constantine.

In the 19th century, the Theatine order was suppressed and the church turned over in administrations.

The church now belongs to the Liceo Artistico Statale di Napoli.

The chapel has mosaics made by Giovanni Battista Calandra and copied from paintings by Reni.

The relief on the altar of the four evangelist symbols is by François Duquesnoy, and two marble lions are by Giuliano Finelli.