During the Portuguese occupation of the country a Dominican monastery[2][3] and a charity hall, the Chapel of Misericordia (House of Mercy) were constructed on the site (c.1627),[4] where the church is now located.

In approximately 1666, ten years after the capture of Colombo by the Dutch they converted the building into the official residence for the Governor,[4][7] with an elegant two storey facade facing the waterfront.

[13] Between September and December 1832 the church closed for repairs and during this time the verandah and portico with its classical masonry columns, typical of British buildings during this period were added.

[4] Very little vestiges of the original Dutch colonial architecture remain, with the exception of the clear storey windows and prominent gable walls.

[4] The church and its cemetery contain a number of commemorative monuments, plaques and tombs, including William Tolfrey (1778–1817), who translated the Bible into Pali and Sinhalese;[2][13] Thomas James Twistleton (1770–1824), the first Archdeacon of Colombo;[2][13] Henry Matthews, Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court;[13] George Steuart (1808–1896), founder of George Steuarts;[2] Louise Rodney (1778–1814), wife of John Rodney, Colonial Secretary of Ceylon (1806–1833); Sir Charles Peter Layard (1806–1893), the first Mayor of Colombo (1866–1877); and the soldiers from the Worcestershire Regiment 2nd Battalion, who died whilst serving in Ceylon between 1904 and 1906.