The structure of the church was built between 1672 and 1687 to a plan by the papal architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini in collaboration with the architect Guarino Guarini of Turin. Guarini, employed by the Duke of Savoia, did not merely follow the realisation of the project, but made significant changes to adapt the site to its location.
It was thanks to a cycle of preaching by the Jesuits that, causing great religious enthusiasm, he secured important donations from the people of Bra, at a time when the town was troubled by strong discord between the Confratelli della Misericordia and those of the Santissima Trinità.
After ten years of work, the choir and presbytery were completed in 1682, allowing the first Messa to be celebrated, but it was not until 1687 that the work was considered complete.
Unfortunately, in 1765 the church was used for military purposes, serving as a storehouse for French and Austro-Russian troops, which caused severe damage including the destruction of the altars, the dismantling of the floor and the destruction of several stained glass windows. Restoration work did not begin until 1813, at the behest of the clergy and citizens who opposed the municipality's demands to use the building as a market wing.
Today the church has three naves with deep chapels and a splendid façade with Corinthian columns. Inside, the altar of San Sebastiano by G.A. Barelli, paintings by Beaumont and canvases by the famous Flemish painter Claret stand out.
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