The church was originally built in calp limestone with granite dressings between 1704 and 1706.

The tower was added after the initial main church building, around 1713.

[3] It was called the Royal Chapel of St Matthew, Ringsend from its foundation until 1871 because the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. William King (1650–1729), wanted the government to pay for the church, which was built under an act of Queen Anne and later designated by George I.

John Bohereau (or Borough/Burrough) was appointed as the first minister in 1723, where previously it had been served by priests from Donnybrook.

William J. Stoney was appointed the first rector following the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland in 1871.