The church is built on land given for the purpose by Valentine Lawless, 2nd Baron Cloncurry, whose summer residence was nearby Maretimo House.

The building of the church commenced with the laying of a single foundation stone on the feast of St. John the Baptist, 24 June 1842.

The church was designed by the architect Patrick Byrne, who was educated at the Dublin Society Schools.

It is one of the finest examples of the Gothic revival style in Ireland and was the first to be built in the Dublin Archdiocese.

At the centre is Our Lady (Blessed Virgin Mary) followed to her right is St. Peter, St. Mark, St. James and St. Matthew.

In 1925, through a donation by the family of John Murphy of Avoca Avenue, Harry Clarke Studio was commissioned to create two stained glass windows.