The cathedral has over 300 years of history.
In 1670, a small chapel was built in the center of the colonial settlement of Ponce on the site of the present cathedral.
On September 17, 1692, the King of Spain, Carlos II, issued a Cédula Real (Royal Permit) designating the chapel as a parish church.
In 1835, the original parish church was demolished to build a larger church, which was completed and opened for worship in 1839.
Among its new features were two octagonal towers on the corners of the front facade.
 The original (pre-1918) towers were also three stories high and had windows on each of the sides.
They were each topped with a Christian cross.

The cathedral contains a number of burials within its interior.
It was among the first burial places in Ponce.
However, in 1814 the practice was discontinued due to potential health risks on church worshipers, and based on the edict promulgated in 1784 by king Charles III.
On that year the first cemetery in the city located outside a religious structure was built at the block bounded by today's Calle Victoria, Union, Vives and Mendez Vigo.
That block is now (2019) occupied by the Terminal de Transportación Pública Carlos Garay.

The building was damaged by several fires and earthquakes during the 19th and 20th centuries including the 1918 San Fermín earthquake, which caused extensive damage, including the destruction of both of the original towers.
Despite this, the 1839 building forms the core of the present building, which Pope Pius XI declared a cathedral in 1924.
The cathedral's first bishop was Edwin Byrne, who took charge in 1925.

From 1931 to 1937, the church was reconstructed to a design by architect Francisco Porrata Doria.
The current facade bears a French neoclassical style.
Among these improvements were the addition of two new chapels, a new roof, the remodelling of the upper storey of the facade and the construction of two new, richly decorated square towers.
A pipe organ was installed in 1934 and re-inaugurated in 1989 after a nine-year restoration.
The building was dedicated by Bishop James E. McManus on April 11, 1950.
The cathedral has over 300 years of history. In 1670, a small chapel was built in the center of the colonial settlement of Ponce on the site of the present cathedral. On September 17, 1692, the King of Spain, Carlos II, issued a Cédula Real (Royal Permit) designating the chapel as a parish church. In 1835, the original parish church was demolished to build a larger church, which was completed and opened for worship in 1839. Among its new features were two octagonal towers on the corners of the front facade.  The original (pre-1918) towers were also three stories high and had windows on each of the sides. They were each topped with a Christian cross.
The cathedral contains a number of burials within its interior. It was among the first burial places in Ponce. However, in 1814 the practice was discontinued due to potential health risks on church worshipers, and based on the edict promulgated in 1784 by king Charles III. On that year the first cemetery in the city located outside a religious structure was built at the block bounded by today's Calle Victoria, Union, Vives and Mendez Vigo. That block is now (2019) occupied by the Terminal de Transportación Pública Carlos Garay.
The building was damaged by several fires and earthquakes during the 19th and 20th centuries including the 1918 San Fermín earthquake, which caused extensive damage, including the destruction of both of the original towers. Despite this, the 1839 building forms the core of the present building, which Pope Pius XI declared a cathedral in 1924. The cathedral's first bishop was Edwin Byrne, who took charge in 1925.
From 1931 to 1937, the church was reconstructed to a design by architect Francisco Porrata Doria. The current facade bears a French neoclassical style. Among these improvements were the addition of two new chapels, a new roof, the remodelling of the upper storey of the facade and the construction of two new, richly decorated square towers. A pipe organ was installed in 1934 and re-inaugurated in 1989 after a nine-year restoration. The building was dedicated by Bishop James E. McManus on April 11, 1950.
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe