In the 19th and the first decades of the 20th century, the church was also known as "Sveti  Kral" (The Holy King) because it housed the relics of the Serbian King Stefan Uroš II (1282 - 1321). The original church was built in the 10th century and, like other Sofia temples at the time, had stone foundations and a wooden structure on top. In this form the church lasted until the mid-20th century. On May 7, 1856 the construction of the new church began. 

The church became famous during the assassination attempt on April 16, 1925, when it was destroyed. It is considered that this is the worst terrorist act in the history of Bulgaria.