Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Ensenada (must see)

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe stands as a beautiful symbol of devotion and perseverance. Built in the Spanish Colonial style between 1951 and 1984, the cathedral has served as the heart of the Catholic community in the region and has been the seat of the Diocese of Ensenada since 2007. Its origins trace back to 1947, when Franciscan missionaries arrived in the city and envisioned a sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Construction began under the guidance of Bishop Alfredo Galindo Mendoza and continued in stages for over three decades.

The building process was far from easy. With limited funds, the community and clergy found creative ways to support the cathedral’s development. One side of the nave, once completed, was used for regular worship while the opposite side was temporarily turned into a movie theater to help finance the rest of the project. Later, a dedicated hall was built for film projections to further raise funds. Over the years, the cathedral’s interior was carefully crafted, with priests adding elegant details like stained-glass windows, black marble pieces, and a finely carved altar and altarpiece.

In addition to its architectural beauty, the cathedral houses important religious artwork and relics. A striking statue of Christ the King, originally meant for one of the domes, was instead placed alongside the sanctuary due to weight concerns. Artist José Lizaola contributed five paintings inspired by the Nican Mopohua, a historical text describing the Virgin of Guadalupe’s apparition.