Look for a tall, sunny yellow church with a striking bell tower and white trim just across from the Avenida Juan Ponce de León street sign-the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is right in front of you!
Now, picture yourself here over a hundred years ago when the sound of horse hooves echoed across the plazas of Old San Juan. The very first service for this congregation happened back in 1899-not in this sturdy building, but in a simple hall on the plaza. Imagine the excitement as Reverend James Van Buren arrived in 1901, gathering a small but passionate group and, by Christmas Eve, transforming their mission into a full parish, with Van Buren himself as the first rector. But Old San Juan was changing quickly-shops and hustle filled the streets, and the quiet families drifted into new neighborhoods. In 1928, Bishop Charles Colmore had an idea: “Let’s move St. John’s!” He dreamed of a new spot in Santurce, a fresh start alongside a training school for women. Ground was broken here in 1929, and, by the next February, a new chapter began as the cathedral you see today was completed. So as you stand here, just think-you’re on ground built by dreamers, with walls that have heard generations of hope, prayers, and maybe a choir note or two that would make the pigeons jealous!
