By the mid part of the 18th Century the population of the town had swelled to over 3,000 which in turn led to calls for a new church in order to meet demand, St Matthew's proving to be inadequate for purpose.

Land was sourced on the outskirts of the town, high on a hill overlooking Douglas Harbour, which at the time was situated in the Parish of Braddan.

The town's gentry (some of whom had profited from the running trade) met the initial cost, raising the necessary money by public subscription.

Numerous people of local society were buried in the churchyard, including Sir William Hillary and Nelly Brennan.

The top side of the churchyard is an open grassed area, marked with a solitary cross, used for the mass burial of cholera victims during 1832 and 1833.