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Kerkplein is in 1855 opgerig toe President van die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek Marthinus Wessel Pretorius die stadsbeplanners, die broers Devereaux, aangesê het om 'n plein vir mark en kerkgang doeleindes te ontwerp. Die plein is aanvanklik ook as 'n sportveld gebruik en die verspringer Izak Prinsloo het in 1883 die eerste wêreldrekord deur 'n Suid-Afrikaner hier opgestel
Die eerste kerk op die plein is in 1857 voltooi. Nadat die kerk in 1882 afgebrand het is 'n tweede Gereformeerde Kerk in 1884-85 gebou. Dit is weer in 1904-05 gesloop nadat die kerk die plein in 1899 aan die ZAR regering verkoop het wat dit weer 1905 aan die stadsraad oorhandig het.
Een van die vernaamste kenmerke van die plein is 'n standbeeld van die Boere-leier en president van die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek Paul Kruger in die middel van die plein. Standbeelde van onbekende Boere burger-soldate omring Kruger se standbeeld op 'n lare vlak van die voetstuk. Die standbeeld is in 1896 in opdrag van Sammy Marks deur Anton van Wouw geskep. Van Wouw se standbeeld van Paul Kruger het eers voor Prinsepark en later voor die Pretoria Stasie gestaan. Dit is in 1954 na Kerkplein geskuif en op 10 Oktober 1954 deur Suid-Afrika se Eerste Minsiter D.F. Malan onthul
Die getoringde Paleis van Justisie is waar moontlik die bekendste politiese verhore in Suid-Afrika se geskiedenis, die Rivoniaverhoor plaasgevind het. Tydens die verhoor is Nelson Mandela en 'n aantal ander prominente vryheidstryd figure aangekla van hoogverraad en vervolgens in die tronk gesit. Ironies genoeg sou, in Suid-Afrika se eerste hoogverraadverhoor na die einde van Apartheid in 2003, 22 lede van die Boeremag verhoor en skuldig bevind word, aan 'n reeks misdade waaronder 'n sluipmoordpoging op teen daardie tyd voormalige president Nelson Mandela in die Paleis van Justisie.
Ons Eerste Volkskas (Our People's First Bank), on the north-eastern corner is a good example of Cape architecture. The First National Bank building was designed by George Esselmont Gordon Leith who is regarded as one of the masters of the traditional style in South Africa.
The Palace of Justice forms part of the northern facade of Church Square. Dating from the end of 19th century, it was designed in typical Italian Renaissance style, by Dutch architect Sytze Wierda. It is the headquarters of the Transvaal Provincial Division of the Supreme Court. The Reserve Bank and the Old Mutual Building are in the classical style of the 1930s.
The Old Capitol Theatre, on the south-western corner, is one of the few examples left in Transvaal of 1930s theatres. Cafe Riche, (pic) one of the most beautiful corner buildings in Pretoria, was erected in 1904/1905 with door frames and window sashes from a church which was demolished on the Square.
Paul Kruger Statue And Sentries
The sculptor Anton van Wouw's statue of Paul Kruger occupies the centre stage on Church Square. While the bronze figures of Kruger and the sentries were cast in Italy at the turn of the century, it was on ly 1954 that they were installed in their rightful place.
Tudor Chambers, designed by John Ellis (1874-1929) for George Heys and the Standard Bank Building make up the south-eastern corner.
The Ou Raadsaal (Old Government Building) on the southern side of the Square was designed by Dutch architect Sytze Wierda and erected by JJ Kirkness, a Scotsman from the Orkney Isles, in 1887. It is a good example of ZAR architecture.
The General Post Office was designed by John Cleland. Above the Church Square entrance is a clock surrounded by nude figures by sculptor Anton van Wouw.