Founded in 1854, CHIJMES originally began as a Catholic convent known as the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ). It was established by the Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus, a Catholic missionary order, to provide education for girls, including orphans. The site included a chapel, classrooms, an orphanage, and living quarters for the nuns. The land was acquired in the mid-19th century and gradually expanded. At its height, it occupied a large parcel of land along Victoria Street.

The most prominent feature is the CHIJMES Hall, formerly the convent chapel, which was completed in 1904. Designed by Father Charles Benedict Nain, it showcases Gothic Revival architecture, featuring:

Stained-glass windows from Bruges, Belgium.

Ornate flying buttresses, vaulted ceilings, and a tall spire.

The chapel was deconsecrated in 1983 but remains a national monument due to its architectural and historical value.