Originally constructed in 1904, it has been part of the University of Strathclyde (and its predecessor institution the Royal College of Science and Technology) since 1953, when it was converted for use as the Chaplaincy.

Since 1998, it has been protected as a Category B listed building[1] The original St Paul's (Outer High) Parish Church was opened in 1836 on a site on adjacent George Street to house the Outer High congregation that previously had occupied part of Glasgow Cathedral, however, the rapidly expanding Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College was proposing to construct a new building on the same site which was the location of its founding institution – Anderson's College.

Alterations and extensions were built in 1957–58, designed by the local architectural firm Wylie, Shanks and Underwood, who were responsible for many of the new educational buildings being constructed in the area at the time.

In line with the University of Strathclyde's long-term plans to consolidate and renew the John Anderson Campus, much of the university's presence in the John Street area has gradually diminished, with the student's union moving to a new location and the Chaplaincy Centre moving into the Graham Hills Building in 2018, with only the Muslim Student's Association still occupying the St Pauls.

The demolition of the adjacent registry office by Glasgow City Council in 2014, and its replacement with a hotel and a high rise apartment tower in 2023 has changed the use of the area to being largely residential again.