The cathedral was commissioned by the Dowager Queen Adelaide during a visit to Malta in the 19th century when she found out that there was no place of Anglican worship on the island.

[3] During World War II the cathedral received minor damage and the roof collapsed, but most of the structure remained intact.

In 1938, it was transformed into a gas-proof air raid shelter, which in the early days of the conflict was used by the chaplain, his wife and scores of Maltese citizens.

[4] A Valletta landmark due to its spire rising over 60 metres, it is constructed with Maltese limestone in a neo-classical style.

[7] On 9 February 2017, the church council launched a project to restore the building and steeple with the aim of raising €3,000,000 to cover the costs.

The oak panels around the high altar are a memorial to the Allied units which took part in the defence of Malta between 1940 and 1943.