The church was begun in 1692, after the loss of Ottoman control over the city during the Great Turkish War, in favor of the Habsburg Monarchy. Originally a Roman Catholic church, it was initiated by Bishop Ágoston Benkovich and dedicated to Saint Bridget of Sweden. It was the first Catholic church outside the Oradea Citadel, located in the Olosig district. It burned in 1703 and was rebuilt in 1722.