Given the religious spirit of the time, it was customary for miners to build chapels at work sites to fulfill their religious obligations. Such was the origin of the church we can see today. Local history has it that the image of Christ that is now venerated in the church was sent to Cata by the wealthy miner Alonso de Villaseca--owner of large mines in the towns of Ixmiquilpan, Cardonal and Zimapán--to be venerated in one of his own haciendas in Cata. However, in order to provide the sculpture and faithful parishioners with an adequate space, the construction of the current church was begun in 1709. After several long pauses in the construction, the church was finally concluded in 1789.
Construction delays were due to fluctuations in the production of the mine at Cata. In proportion to mine production, the church was slowly erected, modified, and occasionally even abandoned when mining operations turned unprofitable and local residents, the construction workers, moved elsewhere.
The Mineral de Cata Shrine is now a religious center of national importance, as worshipers from all corners of the country come to venerate the miraculous image of the Christ of Villaseca, motivated mainly by their wish to obtain indulgences, goods and favors.
