The Church of San Ignacio, in Barrio de las Letras (Literary Quarter), stands where the old English School, established by César Bogacio in 1611, used to be. When the Society of Jesus was expelled from Spain in 1767, the building was transferred to the Biscay Congregation. The new owners commissioned architect Francisco Moradillo with the task of renovating the building, which was reopened to worshippers in 1776.

In 1895, the church was torn down and a new one, more modern and functional, was erected. Work was completed in 1898, adding a residence for the Order of the Discalced Trinitarians. During the Spanish Civil War, in 1936, the church was burned down. Only the façade, the tower and the exterior walls were spared.

In 1942, the church was rebuilt by the National Service for Devastated Areas under the guidance of architect Alberto de Acha y Urioste, who modified the original plan and mounted the new façade on blocks of stone.