The Seventh Avenue station was constructed by the Independent Subway System (IND).

[11] A 2015 proposal to add elevators at the station was rejected because it would have cost $15 million;[12] this prompted protests from local residents.

[6] In 1937, the connection to the IND Crosstown Line opened and GG (later renamed the G) trains were extended to Church Avenue, complementing the E. In December 1940, after the IND Sixth Avenue Line opened, E trains were replaced by the F, and the GG was cut back to Smith–Ninth Streets.

[6] Following the completion of the Culver Ramp in 1954,[18][19] D Concourse Express trains replaced F service to Coney Island.

[19][20] In November 1967, the Chrystie Street Connection opened and D trains were rerouted via the Manhattan Bridge and the BMT Brighton Line to Coney Island.

[23][5] Express service between Bergen and Church ended in 1976 due to budgetary concerns and passenger complaints, and the GG, later renamed the G, was again terminated at the Smith–Ninth Streets station.

[26] In July 2019, the MTA revealed plans to restore express service on the Culver Line between Jay Street and Church Avenue.

The tile band is mustard yellow with a sienna brown border, set in a three-high "express station" course.

There was a passageway within fare control from the platform stairs at 7th Avenue to a HEET turnstile leading to the station booth.

[9] Inside the fare control near the Eighth Avenue entrance is a large scale painting of Prospect Park's The Raven.