The church was built 1873–74 on land donated by
Earl Spencer, and the foundation stone was laid by HRH
Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein on 22 April 1873. The church was consecrated by the Bishop of London on 25 April 1874. The building was designed by
George E. Street, working with
William Morris and
Edward Burne-Jones. The windows are the most extensive glazing scheme by
Morris & Co. in any London church. Most of the cartoons (original drawings) for the windows were created for buildings elsewhere (seven were taken from designs drawn in 1874 for a church in
Calcutta). All but two windows are the work of Morris & Co., the majority being drawn by Burne-Jones, and six by Morris himself. The windows pre-dating 1896 would have been designed (i.e. colour of glass, painted detail) by William Morris,. ==Recent events==