The church houses the replica of Santo Niño de Cebú, the patron saint of the Dinagyang Festival, as well as the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Iloilo.

The first church in Iloilo, whose name back then was La Punta, was erected by the Jesuits in 1607, primarily as a support for the military in the area.

They held San Jose Church until 1775, when governance was handed over to the secular clergy.

[4][5] San Jose Church adheres to the Renaissance design, fused with Hellenic elements.

An image of the Nuestra Senora del Rosario can also be found in the church, which was discovered by Diego Quinnes during the Dutch siege of Iloilo on September 30, 1616.