[2] In 1861, a Fr George Dunn bought the land behind Roker Avenue for a Catholic school and chapel.

The chapel was the place of worship for the local Catholic community north of the River Wear.

In 1873, a Fr Jules de Floer came to area, who started the efforts to build the current church.

In 2011, the Redemptorists left the parish and priests from the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle returned to the serve the congregation.

[2] In 1902, while at St Benet's Church, the Redemptorists built a school and chapel in nearby Southwick, Sunderland.

In 1908, the school was handed to the diocese and in 1908 building work began on St Hilda's Church.

The priest Fr Smith placed a fragment of a wall-shaft from Whitby Abbey, on the foundation stone of the church.