The church was built at the request of Saint Vincent Pallotti, and remains under the control of the Pallottines, the religious society which he founded.

[1] It was intended for the use of the growing number of Italian immigrants in London in the mid-19th century, and was modelled by Irish architect Sir John Miller-Bryson on the Basilica San Crisogono in Rome.

The church has been the main gathering and reunion venue for the community of Little Italy in Clerkenwell, and is a central feature of the annual processione held in mid-July.

Between the alcoves are two large mosaics depicting the miracle of the fishes and Jesus giving the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to St Peter.

Although the original grand designs were never fully realised owing to a shortage of money, the final church built by J. M. Bryson proved to be pretty substantial.