Grade II listed, it is situated on the A57 Warrington Road, opposite Rainhill Hall and was described by Nikolaus Pevsner as 'The noblest Catholic church in South Lancashire'.

[2] The church was founded by Bartholomew Bretherton (d. 1857) who was the owner of the family coaching business and main landowner in Rainhill.

The foundation stone was laid by Bartholomew Bretherton's daughter, Mrs Mary Gerard in April 1838.

The total cost was £8,000 and it was formally opened and consecrated on 24 August by the Vicar Apostolic of the Lancashire District, George Hilary Brown.

[2] Bartholomew's daughter, Mary, added a lady chapel or chantry in 1845 in memory of her first husband, William Gerard of New Hall, Ashton-in-Makerfield.

[6] Also buried in the church cemetery is Kenneth Dewar (1879–1964) who was a vice-admiral in the Royal Navy and was in the Battle of Jutland.