Ponce Cathedral
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The Nuestra Señora de la Guadalupe Cathedral (or simply the Ponce Cathedral) is the cathedral for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ponce located in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The cathedral lies in the middle of Ponce town square, known as Plaza Las Delicias, right behind the Parque de Bombas.
[edit] History
In 1670, a small chapel was built in the center of the town of Ponce. In 1692, the chapel was turned into a parish. During the 18th Century, the church was damaged by several earthquakes. Finally, in 1839, it was replaced by a bigger structure.
In 1918 as a consequence of the earthquake that affected the island that year, the structure was severely damaged. Among them, the loss of both of its original towers.
From 1931-37, the church was reconstructed under the design of architect Francisco Porrata Doria. The actual facade bears a French neoclassical style. Some of the improvements were the addition of new chapels, a new roof and the improvement of the facade with two new richly decorated towers.
In 1924, Pope Pius XI declared the church a cathedral. Its first bishop was Edwin V. Byrne who took charge in 1926.
