According to The Eclectic Review it was built for people who seceded from the congregation of St Andrew's, Holborn after Henry Sacheverell was forced on them by Queen Anne in 1713.

When Rev Richard Cecil became minister there in March, 1780, it was described as being "the largest Church of England chapel in London.

In 1848–9 Thomas Dealtry, perhaps better known as Archdeacon of Calcutta and Bishop of Madras, was incumbent, as was Joseph Butterworth Owen later from 1854 to 1857.

1760–90), author of Parochial music corrected and The divine harmonist's assistant was singing master and clerk at this chapel.

In 1814 Miss Theophania Cecil produced The Psalm and Hymn Tunes used at St. John's Chapel, Bedford Row.