Construction began on the cathedral shortly after Canary Island colonists, granted land and title by Spain's King Phillip V, settled here in 1731. Completed in 1750, San Fernando now stands as the oldest cathedral sanctuary in the U.S. and remains an active parish of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Gen. Santa Anna raised the red flag of "no quarter" from the cathedral during the siege of the Alamo; a new dome replaced one that collapsed in 1872. Site of historic papal visit in 1987. Between West Market & West Commerce sts. downtown.