In 1546 it was founded the city of Arica at a place called El Chenchorro. Fifty years later the city was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami, which forced residents to move their homes into the harbor under the protection of Cape Morro, in the place where he is now.

The current building of the Cathedral of Arica was built on the ruins of the second temple of the city, which was built in 1640. After 200 years of service, this church was also destroyed by an earthquake in 1868. Only preserved stone steps. The project of the new church building was ordered by Peruvian president Jose Balta in the French studio of Gustave Eiffel, and was originally intended for the resort of Ancon. But in 1875 it was decided to build in Arica. One year later, the temple was held the first Mass.

During the Pacific War (1879-1883) began to belong to the city of Arica in Chile. But until the arrival of the twentieth century, Arica remained under the leadership of the Diocese of Arequipa, according to the decree of the Vatican City. In 1910, the mayor of the city of Arica, Maximo Lira, decreed the expulsion of the Peruvian priest and his assistant from the country. They were replaced by Chilean military chaplains.

In 1911 the church was attached to the diocese of Tarapaca (now - the Diocese of Iquique). And in 1959 he was transferred to the rank of Cathedral. With the blessing of Pope John Paul II in 1986, it was founded by the Diocese of Arica to the city center in the Cathedral of St. Mark in Arica.

The church is relatively small, in the Gothic style. The design of the church is made entirely of metal - beams, columns, connected by pointed arches, except for two wooden doors. The tower of the temple rises towards the sky, giving the beauty and grandeur of the building, which is enhanced by the surrounding landscape: the Plaza de Colón, Cape Morro de Arica, the harbor, the port and the boundless sea.

In 1984 the building of the Cathedral declared a national monument of Chile. And in 2002 - the historical monument of Arica.