Dating back to the 10th century as a modest chapel, the building was transformed into a parish church in the 12th century, also serving as a gathering place for the local community. In 1547, the Confraternita della Concezione (Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception) was founded here, before moving almost immediately to the new oratory. The church was restored by Cornelio Bentivoglio in 1566, and, in 1613, was chosen as the church of the Franciscan monastery. The musician and friar Ludovico Grossi da Viadana died and was buried here in 1627.

Between 1713 and 1738 the church was rebuilt in an elegant central-plan Baroque style, crowned with a dome supported by Corinthian and Composite columns. Its octagonal layout includes four corner chapels that highlight a central “X”, a symbol recalling the Cross of Saint Andrew. In 1765, parts of the interior were remodeled, including the presbytery, choir, main altar and the stucco balustrade crafted by Casalgrandi artisans. In 1795 the church was adapted for civic use. 

During the First World War it was converted into a military hospital, before being reconsecrated in 1919. Externally, it presents a simple, unfinished façade with a mixtilinear pediment.

Most of the artworks preserved inside date from the 18th century, with the exception of a 16th-century statue of the Madonna di Loreto (Our Lady of Loreto) and a canvas by Gian Battista Bolognini depicting Saint Cajetan of Thiene and Saint Andrew Avellino in adoration of the Cross (“San Gaetano da Tiene e S. Andrea Avellino in adorazione della Croce”), originally from the Church of the Theatines in Guastalla. 

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