Since the 16th century, hundreds of monks came to the city of Santiago de Queretaro and built their temples and monasteries there. First, it was the Franciscans, then the Jesuits. So the city gradually became like a "large сhurch parish". The main shrine of the city today is the Queretaro Cathedral.

The construction of the temple began at the end of the 18th century by members of the monastic order of Oratorians. 20 years later, it was inaugurated and illuminated in honor of St. Philip Neri. According to some sources, the temple was illuminated by Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla y Gallaga Mondarte Villasegnor, a Mexican Catholic priest and a national revolutionary hero who started the war for the independence of Mexico. He also held the first mass there.

The Catholic temple is a large religious building with one nave, a dome, and a tower. The fact that it was built during the colonial period is evidenced by a combination of several architectural styles from Baroque to Neoclassicism. All exterior decoration was made of the traditional material of this region - red stone of volcanic origin. The facade of the building is richly decorated with various sculptures, bas-reliefs, and decorative elements in the Baroque style. A special place is occupied by the bas-relief of St. Philip Neri, who protects the parishioners with his cloak.

The interior of the temple is the exact opposite. It is presented in a clean neoclassical style. There are amazing works by famous sculptors of the state of Queretaro, as well as paintings by the famous Mexican painter Miguel Mateo Maldonado y Cabrera. The ceiling in the sacristy deserves special attention.

The central place in the temple belongs to the main altar. It houses a sculptural group of the apostles Juan, Pablo, and Santiago, the patron saint of the cathedral and the diocese of Queretaro, as well as an excellent carved cross.

Although the status of a cathedral was granted to the temple by Pope Benedict XV in 1922, it was actually illuminated on 30 June 1931 by the Bishop of Queretaro, Francisco Banegas y Galvan.