The church was of masonry construction and therefore undamaged by a city fire in Riga that year.

Both constructions were joined in the 1470s, thereby creating a mighty basilica with three aisles and ornate vaulted ceilings.

A 136 metres (446 ft) octagonal steeple was added to the tower in 1491, which, along with the church's front facade, dominated the silhouette of Riga.

The tower collapsed 11 March 1666, destroying a neighboring building and burying eight people in the rubble.

[3] Josten was replaced in 1675 by Rupert Bindenschu [de] (1645–1698), the next master builder of Riga.

Renovation of the tower began 1686 and was designed by the city engineer Friedrich S. von Dahlen.

The brick construction was covered with reddish limestone from Salaspils and Koknese, and the facade was decorated with volutes, pilasters, cornices, vases and borders made of Gotland stone.

In 1692 the Riga City Council approved a design by Bindenshu and the mason Andreas Peterman for three identical portals.

The interior walls were plastered and the lower sections of the pillars were covered with oak panels in 1885 under the direction of architect Reinhold Georg Schmaeling (1840–1917).

The tower has an elevator installed that allows visitors a view of Riga from a height of 72 metres (236 ft).

During World War II, the church lost an important object of cultural heritage - an impressive bronze candelabrum made in 1596 - which was taken to the town of Włocławek by Germans from Riga, resettled during "Heim ins Reich" action to annexed Polish territories.

On 1 March 2012 this piece of the Late Renaissance art returned to its ancient home, as a result of an agreement on the repatriation of cultural properties.