The trustees of Wesley Chapel, named for Methodist preacher John Wesley and located on what was formerly known as South Broad Street (today's Oglethorpe Avenue), purchased the land on which the church stands in 1848 in order to build a sanctuary to house their growing congregation.

The Sheftall–Kent House, built by Levi Sheftall in 1762, was moved from the lot to 33–35 West Broad Street in the first part of the 19th century.

[2] The first service was held in the Corinthian order structure, designed by John B. Hogg,[3] in 1850.

[4][5] In 1895, Robert McIntire donated funds for the construction of a Sunday School building.

In 2005, the church's exterior was restored, a project which won Historic Savannah Foundation's Award of Excellence.