It is the oldest known church in Istanbul. According to two manuscripts dated 1360 and 1361, there was a church named Surp Sarkis in Galata. According to a manuscript found in the library of the Armaş Monastery, a merchant named Gozma came to Istanbul from Gafa in 1391 and built the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator. A blacksmith named Aved built the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Furthermore, according to notes by Per Ğugas İnciciyan, a merchant named Gozma came to Istanbul in 1391 and purchased the land for the church. These two plaques placed on the church walls prove that the church existed in 1431. In 1635, Şahin Çelebi, an influential community member, buried the body of Patriarch Krikor II of Kayseri next to the church wall.
The building miraculously survived the fire that occurred in Galata in 1660. Completely reduced to ashes in 1731, the building was rebuilt in 1733 by Sarkis Kalfa during the reign of Patriarch Golod. It was opened to worship by Patriarch Hovhannes Golod IX, who shouldered the construction costs together with Eğinli Hacı Seğpos Amira Yerevanentz. The church was reduced to ashes again in 1771, and the reconstruction was completed in 1799 by Minas Kalfa. The Surp Haç and Surp Garabed chapels were added to the side of the church. In 1888, the interior walls were opened in an arched shape, joining the three houses of worship.
In 1958, due to city reconstruction efforts, the church was completely expropriated, and a large portion of the land was allocated to the street to be widened. A draft prepared by architect Bedros Zobyan, upon the recommendation of Patriarch Karekin Khachadurian, was accepted by Etchmiadzin and put into practice, and the present-day Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Church was built in the domed style on the remaining site in 1962. The new church was re-consecrated by Patriarch Shynorhk in 1966 and opened for worship. It is the only church in Istanbul built in the classical Armenian architectural style. On its lower floor is the Amenapyrgiç chapel, which also contains the tomb of Patriarch Hovhannes IX (Golod). This important Patriarch, who passed away in 1741, was buried inside the church.
There are old inscriptions and very valuable porcelain remains belonging to the church on the walls.
The church was repaired in 2005 and was consecrated by the hand of His Holiness Patriarch Mesrob II and reopened for worship.
The last repair of the church was carried out in 2011 and it was consecrated by the Patriarchal Vicar Archbishop Aram Ateşyan and reopened for worship.
The Getronagan school building located next to the church was built in 1871 with a masonry structure.
Those buried in the chapel under the church:
Patriarch Hovhannes IX of Bitlis (Golod) 1678-1741
Patriarch Krikor II of Kayseri. 1570-1636
Those buried in the churchyard:
Benefactors of the Getronagan school
Harutyun Efendi Kapamacıyan 1814-1878
Makruhi Kapamacıyan (Harutyun Efendi Kapamacıyan’s wife) 1827-1887