Nicolae Ivan (1855–1936), the first bishop of the Bishopric of Cluj, had a very important contribution in suggesting the location of the cathedral and in obtaining the necessary funds for its construction, which began on 10 September 1923.

The cornerstone was laid on 7 October 1923, at a ceremony attend by Crown Prince Carol II and Prime Minister Ion I. C.

[1] The project of the cathedral was developed by the architects George Cristinel and Constantin Pomponiu,[1] who also designed the Mausoleum of Mărășești.

The opening ceremony was also attended, among many others, by King Carol II and Crown Prince Michael I.

The interior murals were painted between 1928 and 1933 by artists Anastase Demian and Catul Bogdan [ro], both professors at the local Art Academy.