Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port of Spain

The first Catholic Church in the Port of Spain was built by order of the Spanish Governor Martin de Salverria in 1781. That was just in time. The British took over in 1797, and they had other plans. The site chosen by Governor Salverria is now known as Tamarind Square.

In the early 19th century, the English governor Sir Ralph Woodford decided to build a church better suited to the growing Catholic population. Plans were drawn by the Governor's Secretary, Phillip Renagle, and the foundation stone was laid on 24 March 1816. The new church was located west of the former church, at the eastern end of today's Independence Square.

The new church was built in Gothic design in the shape of a Latin cross, with walls made of blue limestone quarried from the Laventille Hills, an iron framework from England for the doors and windows, and twin wooden towers framing the entrance. Twelve bells and a clock were added in 1879.

The church officially became a Cathedral after the arrival of the Apostolic Vicar to the Holy See in 1820. It was not completed until 1832 and consecrated in 1849.