In 1576, Governor Rodrigo de Quiroga ceded these lots to found a hermitage dedicated to Saint Anne and a square. It was called Plaza del Tejar because the site used for the manufacturing of thigh tiles that supplied the construction works within the center of the city and the tiles that covered the Cathedral was located in this area.

These areas were densely populated and were where the mestizo and popular worlds settled their communal settlements and ramadas. The need to evangelize became imperative and Saint Anne Parish was built for such purpose in 1578.

That first construction was destroyed by the earthquake of May 13, 1647. A new parish was built but it also collapsed with the earthquake of 1730. In 1746, a third construction rises, that was demolished at the beginning of 19th century given its precarious state of conservation and was replaced by the current construction.

This last construction was possible thanks to the efforts of presbyter Vicente Aldunate Guerrero, who on his arrival as parish priest in 1802 and faced with a temple that was almost in ruins, obtained the support of the Government and began the reconstruction works.

History states that architect Juan José Goycolea was in charge of the design and that he based on the plans of the military engineer Agustín Caballero. The works began in 1806 and although it was not finished, it was consecrated in 1854. Before concluding the works, a fountain designed by Agustín Caballero was built in order to supply water to the neighbors of the area.

In 1926 and 1937 the temple underwent some modifications, a new three-body tower was erected and the central nave was raised, which was covered with a barrel vault.

The church was declared a Historical Monument in 1970.

For the earthquake of February 27, 2010, it suffered severe damages and was temporarily closed while restoration works were being carried out.

It is noteworthy that the Vicariate of University Pastoral Action operates on one side of the parish, and every Sunday more than 120 people receive food in a dining room that serves the social pastoral community, making this temple a very transcendental space for the area.