It has a large pipe organ that was played by danza master and composer Juan Morel Campos.

In 1670, a small chapel was built in the center of the colonial settlement of Ponce on the site of the present cathedral.

[4] On 17 September 1692, the King of Spain, Carlos II, issued a Cédula Real (Royal Permit) designating the chapel as a parish church.

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.

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.

[13] The cathedral sits in the center of Ponce's central square, Plaza Las Delicias, oriented east-to-west, with its front entrance facing west.

Low undulating walls line the cathedral's northern and southern sides, and serve to separate it from the Plazas.

Above this vestibule is a second level choir loft, accessible via a wooden stairway connected to the front wall.

A large pipe organ, said to have been played by Juan Morel Campos every Sunday for many years, is also on this second level loft.

On the south side of the cathedral, a large chapel, built in 1911, extends three bays parallel to the aisle.

[11] The main altar, built in Burgos, Spain, was donated by the local Ferre family.

Access to the towers is through either of two small wooden doors located in the interior northwest and southwest corners of the church vestibule.

[1] On 12 December, the cathedral hosts the annual event known as "Las Mañanitas", named after the Mexican birthday song (English: "Early Mornings"), which is sung during a pre-dawn religious procession in the downtown area to celebrate the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Ponce.