Construction of the original Urakami Cathedral, a brick Neo-Romanesque building, began in 1895, after a long-standing ban on Christianity was lifted.

[4] The atomic bomb that fell on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, detonated in Urakami only 500 m (1640 ft) from the cathedral, completely destroying it.

[citation needed] The plans to replace the cathedral led to a prolonged debate between the city government and the congregation.

However, Christians in Nagasaki strongly wanted to rebuild their cathedral on the original site, as a symbol of their persecution and suffering.

Statues and artifacts damaged in the bombing, including a French Angelus bell and the Atom-bombed Mary, are now displayed on the grounds.