The original church on this site was begun in 1776 after the Chapel of Alto Vista fell into disuse and dedicated to Saint Ann, the mother of the Virgin Mary.

When it was constructed in 1776, Santa Ana Church represented the island's second most important religious meeting place (the first being Alto Vista Chapel).

When the Antonius Church was renovated in 1928, the parish priest donated the altar, the communion rail and pulpit to the Netherlands Antilles mission which sent it to Saint Ann.

It is noted that the retable, the communion rail and pulpit won a prize at the first Vatican Council held in Rome in 1870.

[1][2] The altar, the communion rail and pulpit and remained unharmed although the roof was ripped open by the strong winds.