The church was built in the 16th century by the noble Milanese family Marliani, feudal lords of Luino, as a private oratory adjoining their palace. The project was entrusted to Gerolamo Quadrio, architect of the Milan Cathedral, who completed the work in 1666, as attested by the inscription above the entrance portal.
The building is characterized by its high pronaos facing the lake, supported by columns in Viggiù stone. Between the 18th and 19th centuries, this view became the most depicted landmark in the views of travelers to Luino.
The statues of Saint Denis (from whom the Marliani family claimed descent) and Saint Joseph flank the church entrance. Inside, noteworthy is the polychrome marble high altar with the painting “The Marriage of Joseph and Mary,” praised by Cardinal Pozzobonelli of Milan during his pastoral visit in 1748. The walnut-burr side altars date to the 18th century and are adorned with valuable paintings, including “The Resurrection of Saint Denis” by the Jesuit Andrea Pozzo, one of the leading 17th-century Northern Italian painters. To the right of the high altar there is the 1683 organ, still in use today.