[1] A prominent group of immigrants to South Australia, settled by Europeans from 1836, supported the Free Church of Scotland movement.

This group called Reverend John Gardner from Scotland, and established Chalmers Free Church, named after Rev.

He immediately initiated buying the land on the corner of North Terrace and Pulteney Street from (later Sir) John Morphett, and appointed English & Brown as architects and builders,[3] comprising Thomas English and his brother-in-law Henry Brown.

[3] The cost of land and building was £2,572 against the estimate of £1,800 despite cost-saving measures which included substituting a shingle roof for slate tiles.

The 120 feet (37 m) spire was added in 1858 at an additional cost of £200 and a bell, brought out from England, was donated by (later Sir) Thomas Elder.