It was built in 1850 and designed by Joseph Hansom in the Gothic Revival style.

It is located on Durham Street, behind Hartlepool Borough Hall.

It was the first Catholic church to be built in Hartlepool since the Reformation, and it is a Grade II listed building.

The priest at the chapel was Fr William Knight, who had come from Ushaw College.

On 28 August 1851, the church was opened by William Hogarth, the Bishop of Hexham.