The church is dedicated to Saint Stefano Protomartire and is the largest of the churches of Milazzo. On the bell tower is a marble plaque with the motto "while the irreparable hours strike, you seek the Eternal".

The cathedral was built in 1953 on a site that previously housed the municipal theatre and the church of the Addolorata. It replaces the ancient cathedral of the Castle of Milazzo, which was closed to worship because it was damaged and vandalized during the bloody battle of 20 July 1860, the so-called Battle of Milazzo.