By mid-19th century, Santiago, the capital, was threatened by epidemics such as smallpox, tuberculosis and cholera, which from time to time caused havoc throughout the city. Life expectancy did not exceed 30 years and, in the most critical moments of these epidemics, eight out of ten children died.

In 1871, for the then President, Federico Errázuriz Zañartu, it was an urgent matter to build a hospital for common illnesses –the Hospital del Salvador–, and a lazaretto for people suffering from smallpox and tuberculosis –the Hospital San Vicente de Paul. For those purposes, he designated a commission, led by Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna and Ramón Barros Luco, in order to raise funds needed for building both hospitals; fundraising efforts were successful in a short time. Some estates in La Cañadilla were acquired for building the San Vicente de Paul lazaretto, as well as a vacant lot owned by the Merced convent (acquired in 1870) on lands where the former Barainca farm used to stand to build the Hospital del Salvador.

Lazaretto construction works were commissioned to architect Eusebio Chelli, on May 9, 1872, who supervised the preparation of plans, but they were executed by architect Karl Ernst Stegmöller, who developed every detail of the construction works.

At the same time, on lands where the former Barainca farm used to stand in Providencia neighborhood, construction of the Hospital del Salvador had already began under the direction of architect Ricardo Brown. Foundation stone was laid on January 1, 1872.

Nevertheless, construction of the Hospital del Salvador had to be postponed due to the War of the Pacific in 1879 and other economic problems. It was only in 1888 that a new construction project could be devised, which was authorized years later under the direction of architect Carlos Barroilhet.

Chapel design was developed by one of the nuns from the Congregation of Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, and it would have been completed by 1897, although some records indicate that it was in 1900. It should be mentioned that, since then, the sisters of this congregation are the administrators of the chapel. They lived in the cloister, nursing the sick in the hospital on a daily basis.

The hospital was opened in 1905, and due to its historical importance regarding health and its architectural value, the façade, the central nucleus, yards and the chapel were declared Historical Monument in 1985.

The 2010 earthquake damaged both the chapel and some pavilions. Currently, there are works under way in the hospital and the temple.