Church of La Matriz is located in Valparaiso, in the heart of the city's port, the so-called historic center of the city, surrounded by cobbled streets and houses of the late XIX century.

The first church was built on this site in 1559 as a humble chapel for the residents of a small village and crews staying regularly at the port of Valparaiso. Its walls were made of mud brick, covered with a thatched roof. In 1578 the church building was burned by pirates Francis Drake. In 1620 this place was built a new church, consecrated in honor of the Virgin, whose image appears on the coat of arms of the city. Inside the church there was the image of Christ sent to Santiago King Philip II of Spain in 1630, who mistakenly ended up in this church.

The church was again badly damaged and then restored after the devastating tsunami in 1730. In 1822, after another earthquake, it was decided to start a new construction, the city that attracted a large number of wealthy families and increase the amount of urban development in Valparaiso.

Construction of the present church was begun in 1837 and completed in 1842 under the leadership of the priest Jose Antonio Riobio. Church with three naves and a rectangular arch surmounted by an octagonal tower with a spire and stands out for its harmonious main facade. Eight columns surround the tower where the bell. Inside the church of three naves separated by arcades, a wall lined with wood and decorated with frescoes and stucco.

The classical style is clearly visible in the facade and tower of the church. In all other respects - in large, thick adobe walls and gabled roof - there is Creole style XVIII century.

In 1900, Valparaiso was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which represents a solemn statue in the square in front of the long church La Matriz. Over the last century the church was reconstructed several times after earthquakes in 1971 and 1985. After the last earthquake in February 2010, were carried out new restoration work in 2012. Therefore, the church of La Matriz is now in good condition.

La Matriz church was declared a National Monument of Chile in 1971.