It is dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist, a disciple of Jesus Christ and author of the fourth Christian Gospel.

The motivation for construction was the large size of the existing congregation at the neighbouring Holy Spirit parish church (sometimes translated 'Holy Ghost'), which by the mid-nineteenth century numbered more than 14,000 members.

[1] Fundraising began in 1851 to provide a new parish church in the expanding suburbs of the 'new' town of Tallinn, at the lower level below the ancient hill-top city settlement (the Toompea).

The church is built in the neo-Gothic style, with soaring lancet arches, and is a very large building, spanning three principal aisles, with a tall tower at the west end, topped with a decorative spire.

The church received many gifts at its consecration, including artworks, precious metals (chalices and alms dishes) and a bell.