Catholicism was introduced to Estonia by force via the Northern crusades and dominated religious life during the Middle Ages.

However, following the Reformation during the 16th century, Lutheranism took its place as the dominant faith, and during the time of Swedish rule in Estonia, Catholicism was banned.

[1] Following Sweden's loss of Estonia to the Russian Empire during the Great Northern War, religious freedom was introduced by the new authorities.

In 1799, the Catholic parish had grown large enough to be granted the former refectory of the long-since closed St. Catherine's Monastery as a place of worship on the site of the present church.

The interior of the church still reflects Rossi's design, however the wooden, neo-Gothic decoration has been removed.