The distinctive round shape and high tower of St.Chad's is a well-known landmark in the town, near the Quarry area of parkland. The current building is a Grade I listed building. The design for the church was by the Scottish architect George Steuart.

The foundation stone was laid on St Chad's day, 2 March 1790. The church was built of white Grinshill stone. and the building work was supervised by John Simpson (who later worked on several projects with Thomas Telford, including the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct). Internally, the gallery was supported by slender cast iron pillars, an early example of cast iron used for this purpose; they were made by William Hazledine, a pioneering ironmaster who had a foundry in Shrewsbury.

The church was opened on 19 August 1792. Charles Darwin was baptised at the church on 15 November 1809, and the tombstone of Ebeneezer Scrooge can be found in the churchyard.