This church was built in 1974 after lengthy struggles with local authorities over the site and the building permits. It is dedicated to the first Croatian saint, Nikola Tavelić, a Franciscan born in Šibenik who, as a pilgrim and preacher, together with his brother friars, died a martyr’s death at Jerusalem in 1391.

In 1970, Pope Paul VI proclaimed Nikola Tavelić a saint to the great acclaim of the Croatian people.