Designed by William Coverdale and constructed in 1835–1837, it is considered one of the earliest stone Gothic Revival Anglican churches in Canada.

[2] St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church was founded in 1826 as a mission of the Diocese of Quebec by the newly ordained deacon Samuel Armour in what was then Scott's Plains, today Peterborough.

[3] The congregation was granted its current lot in 1834 and the cornerstone for the present building was laid in 1835 by Captain Charles Rubidge (1787–1872).

The church, built from locally quarried stone, was designed by William Coverdale in the Gothic Revival style.

Other architects who have overseen later alterations and additions include Kivas Tully, John E. Belcher, William Blackwell and Craig, Zeidler and Strong.