The parish of Silay was established in 1776 and its first church was built of light materials: bamboo, cogon grass and nipa palm during the time of Gobernadorcillo Alejo Severino's administration.

Don Jose R. Ledesma, a resident of Silay and a wealthy sugar baron, donated a substantial portion of the funds needed to build the new edifice.

Bernasconi was also responsible for the design and construction[5] of the Silay Wharf, which was razed by Imperial Japanese soldiers during the Second World War.

A local historian has conjectured that San Diego was given as a patron saint to the early settlement that became Silay by Fr.

[6] On December 25, 1994, then-Bishop of the Diocese of Bacolod, Monsignor Camilo Gregorio declared the San Diego Parish Church a pro-cathedral.