Its foundation stone was laid by Whitefield in June 1756, and it opened for its dedication service on 7 November of the same year.

Its initial popularity led to plans being drawn up for enlargement, and these were quickly put into effect in 1759.

Beneath the chapel, a vault was also prepared; it was Whitefield's hope that he could be interred here along with his wife Elizabeth and the two Wesleys, but he died and was buried in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

On Palm Sunday 1945, the church building was destroyed by the last V-2 rocket to fall on London.

[7] It was offered to them by the United Reformed Church when they were forced to move from their building in North Audley Street in 1972.