The church was created at the third mile from the Aurelian Walls and it was erected on the land belonging to and with funds provided by Demetria – a high-born lady of the Anicia family. It was part of a residential complex of the owner’s villa, while its consecration was performed by Pope Leo I. The church was renovated and preserved by subsequent bishops of Rome, until the IX century, when any word of it was lost. It, or more appropriately its remains, were not rediscovered until mid-XIX century by a certain amateur archeologist.

The church was not a small building, it had the form of a basilica and was 36 meters long and 21 meters wide. From the east it was preceded by a column narthex. The interior was enriched with arcades set on eight columns on each side, separating the main nave from the side naves. Next to the apse, there was a room which was most likely used as a baptistery

It may be assumed with certainty, that the dedication of the church, recalling its patron the popular at that time martyr, who – stoned – gave his life for the faith, is connected with the miraculous discovery of his tomb in 415. Transporting the earthly remains of St. Stephen in 439 A.D., to a church built in Jerusalem, also initiated the spread of his cult in Europe. It should therefore, come as no surprise that in Rome a place was also found for him.

The remains of the church along with the remains of ancient buildings from the II century B.C., can presently be seen in the aforementioned archeological park, set up in the south-eastern part of Rome at via dell’Arco di Travertino, right in front of the junction with via Appia Nuova. The basilica itself is located in its south-eastern part.