Zamboanga Cathedral

Last updated
Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción de Zamboanga (Spanish)
Zamboanga Cathedral (La Purisima, Zamboanga City; 10-06-2023).jpg
Zamboanga Cathedral in 2023
Zamboanga Cathedral
6°54′32″N122°04′34″E / 6.90893°N 122.07606°E / 6.90893; 122.07606
Location Zamboanga City
Country Philippines
Denomination Roman Catholic
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architect(s) Abarro and Associates
Architectural type Cathedral
Style Modern
Groundbreaking 1998
Completed2002
Construction costabout 85,000,000
Specifications
Capacity1,000+ (main church)
Materials concrete, steel
Administration
Archdiocese Zamboanga

The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, commonly known as simply the Zamboanga Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic church located in Zamboanga City, Philippines. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga.

Contents

History

The first church was originally located at the front of Plaza Pershing, where the present Universidad de Zamboanga stands. The church was designated a cathedral in 1910 when the diocese of Zamboanga was created. In 1943, the cathedral was one of the edifices bombarded by Japanese soldiers during World War II. In 1956, the cathedral was relocated beside Ateneo de Zamboanga University, formerly known as the Jardin de Chino.

Features of the cathedral

The original cathedral

The cathedral located at the Plaza Pershing was constructed in 1870 and was made of wood and concrete. The image of the Immaculate Conception was located at the main altar, with two Jesuit saints, Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier, on each side.

During the liberation from Japanese occupation on March 8-9, 1945, American forces conducted aerial bombings and artillery shelling on the city, which destroyed two-thirds of the buildings in the city including the cathedral. [1] The image of the patroness was said to be spared from the bombs of World War II and was transferred to a road now known as La Purisima Street.

The old cathedral at La Purisima (1956–1998)

The former structure of the cathedral was designed in 1956. The site used to be the chapel of the Jardin de Chino. The facade consists of the life-size sculpture of Immaculate Conception at the left side and the bell-tower at right. The chapel of the saints were located inside the area where the image outside was located. The stations of the cross were made of stained glass at each side and the added station, "Resurrection", was located near the right altar at the confession area. Then the bronze relief of the last supper was located at the day chapel which serves later as the perpetual adoration chapel.

The Metropolitan Cathedral (1998–present)

Interior Zamboanga Cathedral inside (La Purisima, Zamboanga City; 04-17-2024).jpg
Interior

The present structure of the cathedral was built in 1998–2002 in cruciform, of which the candle-like design is appropriate to the cathedral's patron. Inside the main church is marble statue of the Immaculate Conception designed by Philippine National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva. Along the aisles are the stained-glass symbolic images of all dioceses in Mindanao from 1910 to 1984. The day chapel at the ground floor is used for weekday masses. Fronting the day chapel is the baptistery with the relic of Our Lady of the Pillar, the patroness of the city. Behind the day chapel is the columbarium with a replica of Michelangelo's "Pietà" and the stained-glass images of the 12 apostles around it. The left wing houses the parish office and the adoration chapel, while the convention hall is located in the right wing. The original statue of the Immaculate Conception, which was placed in the main altar of the old church, can be seen at the parish office.

The new structure of the cathedral was designed by Abarro and Associates through the efforts of former Msgr. Crisanto de la Cruz, who said that the decay of the old cathedral's ceiling damaged by termites was one of the reasons why the reconstruction should take place. The design of the new cathedral was unveiled in December 1997. The old structure had been demolished a day after Easter in 1998, preserving its stained glass window and sculpture from the facade, which respectively are located at the rear portion of the new church and at the left side. The cathedral was solemnly dedicated on December 6, 1999, with Cardinal-Archbishop Ricardo Vidal of Cebu and President Joseph Estrada Ejercito as guests of honor. The day chapel, columbarium, baptistery, the multi-purpose hall and office were constructed in 2002.

A more recent addition to the cathedral is the Century Bell Tower, which broke ground on the feast of the Immaculate Conception in 2010. This belfry, located at the Ateneo side of the cathedral, marked the 100th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga.

Chapel communities under the cathedral parish

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception</span> Catholic church in Washington, D.C., U.S.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic minor basilica and national shrine in Washington D.C.. It is the largest Catholic church building in North America and is also the tallest habitable building in Washington, D.C. Its construction of Byzantine and Romanesque Revival architecture began on 23 September 1920.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Hong Kong)</span> Church in Hong Kong, China

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a late 19th-century English Gothic revival church that serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. It is located in the Mid-Levels area of the city at 16 Caine Road.

The Church of the Gesù is the Roman Catholic church of the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezon City in the Philippines. The landmark was designed by Jose Pedro Recio and Carmelo Casas. The edifice’s massive triangular structure symbolizes the Holy Trinity, as well as the three-fold mission and vision of the school. Its shape and design are also meant to suggest the outstretched arms of the Sacred Heart, and the traditional Filipino bahay kubo. The site has a total area of 10,200 square metres (110,000 sq ft) and seating capacity for 1,000 persons. The church is situated on Sacred Heart Hill, a small hill overlooking Bellarmine Field, believed to be the highest point in barangay Loyola Heights. In its immediate vicinity are the dormitories and the John Pollock Renewal Center. The peak cross and carillon of the church can be seen from Katipunan Avenue, which borders the campus to the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ateneo de Zamboanga University</span> Private university in Zamboanga City, Philippines

The Ateneo de Zamboanga University, also referred to by its acronym AdZU, is a private Catholic coeducational basic and higher education institution run by the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus in Zamboanga City, Philippines. It is the second oldest Jesuit school in the Philippines. It operates on three campuses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myeongdong Cathedral</span> Catholic cathedral in South Korea

The Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, informally known as Myeongdong Cathedral (명동대성당), is the national cathedral of the Archdiocese of Seoul. Located in the Myeongdong neighborhood of Jung District, Seoul, South Korea, it is the seat of the Archbishop of Seoul, Peter Chung Soon-taick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathedral of Brasília</span> Roman Catholic cathedral in Brazil

The Cathedral of Brasília is the Roman Catholic cathedral serving Brasília, Brazil, and serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Brasília. It was designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and engineered by Brazilian structural engineer Joaquim Cardozo, and was completed and dedicated on May 31, 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malolos Cathedral</span> Catholic cathedral in Bulacan, Philippines

The Minor Basilica and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Malolos, commonly known as Malolos Cathedral is a Catholic minor basilica and cathedral in the city of Malolos, Bulacan in the Philippines. The cathedral is the see of the Bishop of Malolos, a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Manila. The shrine is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manila Cathedral</span> Catholic church in Manila, Philippines

The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, commonly and popularly known as the Manila Cathedral, is a Catholic minor basilica and the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. It is located in Intramuros, the historic walled city in Manila, Philippines, and is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the principal patroness of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pasig Cathedral</span> Roman Catholic church in Pasig, Philippines

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Pasig, commonly known as the Pasig Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in Plaza Rizal, Barangay Malinao, Pasig in Metro Manila, Philippines. It is the mother church, and serves as the episcopal seat of the Bishop of Pasig and one of the oldest structures in the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of the Immaculate Conception (Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana)</span>

The Church of the Immaculate Conception on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods is a large Italian Renaissance Revival-style church constructed of Indiana limestone at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. The cathedral-like structure, which is the fourth church/chapel of the Sisters of Providence since their arrival at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in 1840. Construction for the church began in 1886; its exterior was completed in 1891 and the interior was completed in 1907. The church was consecrated on October 23, 1907, and continues to serve as a place of daily worship services that are open to the public. The church also houses the shrine and tomb of Saint Mother Théodore Guérin, foundress of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel (1905) was erected in the crypt beneath the church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Rapid City, South Dakota)</span> Church in South Dakota, United States

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is a Catholic cathedral and parish church located in Rapid City, South Dakota, United States. Completed in 1962, it serves as the third cathedral of the Diocese of Rapid City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sligo</span> Church in County Sligo, Ireland

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Elphin. It is located on Temple Street in Sligo, Ireland. The cathedral was developed by Bishop Laurence Gillooly who had been appointed Bishop of Elphin in 1858. He decided that the diocese was now of a size and wealth that the time had come to replace St. John's Parish Chapel, which had been recognised as the diocesan pro-cathedral.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of the Immaculate Conception (Rapid City, South Dakota)</span> Historic church in South Dakota, United States

The Church of the Immaculate Conception is a historic building located in Rapid City, South Dakota, United States. Built as a parish church, it became the cathedral of the Diocese of Rapid City when the seat of the diocese was moved to Rapid City. It is now known as the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Immaculate Conception Parish Church (Dasmariñas)</span> Roman Catholic church in Cavite, Philippines

The Immaculate Conception Parish Church, also known as the Dasmariñas Church, is the first Roman Catholic parish church in the city of Dasmariñas, province of Cavite, Philippines. The stone church was constructed right after the establishment of Dasmariñas as a separate parish in 1866. The church and convent was the site of bloodshed during the Battle of Perez Dasmariñas of the Philippine revolution against Spain. It was declared as an important historical structure by the National Historical Institute with the placing of a historical marker in 1986. On 7 December 2002 the Venerated and Miraculous Image of the Patroness of the City of Dasmariñas the Lady of Immaculate Conception was Episcopally Crowned by the Bishop Emeritus of Imus Most Rev.Manuel Sobreviñas D.D. and on the next day, 8 December 2002 on the Occasion of The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception the Parish Church was Dedicated to God by the then Bishop of Imus Most Rev. Luis Antonio G. Tagle SthD. It celebrated its 150th Jubilee Year on July 5, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baclayon Church</span> Roman Catholic church in Bohol, Philippines

La Purisima Concepcion de la Virgen Maria Parish Church, commonly known as Baclayon Church, is a Roman Catholic church in the municipality of Baclayon, Bohol, Philippines within the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Tagbilaran. Baclayon was founded by the Jesuit priest Juan de Torres and Gabriel Sánchez in 1596, and became the oldest Christian settlement in Bohol. It was elevated as a parish in 1717 and the present coral stone church was completed in 1727. The Augustinian Recollects succeeded the Jesuits in 1768 and heavily renovated the church since then.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Monica's Cathedral, Cairns</span> Latin Catholic cathedral in Australia

St Monica's Cathedral is the cathedral of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Cairns. It is located at 183 Abbott Street, Cairns City, Cairns, Queensland, Australia. The cathedral was designed by Ian Ferrier and built from 1967 to 1968. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 31 August 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of the Immaculate Conception, Spinkhill</span> Church in Derbyshire, England

Immaculate Conception Church is a Roman Catholic Parish church in Spinkhill, Derbyshire, England. It was built in 1846 and designed by Joseph Hansom. It is situated on Spinkhill Lane opposite Immaculate Conception Catholic Primary School south of Mount St Mary's College in the village. It was founded by the Jesuits and is a Grade II listed building.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and of the Triumph of the Cross of Panguil Bay, also known as the Virgin of Cotta and The Blessed Virgin of Cotta is an 18th-century image of the Blessed Virgin Mary venerated at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental in the Philippines and is the patroness of the city. The image was named after the fort Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo of Panguil Bay where it was originally kept.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Carmel Shrine (Quezon City)</span> Roman Catholic church in Quezon City, Philippines

Mount Carmel Shrine, also known as Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, , is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and national shrine located in Barangay Mariana, Quezon City in the Philippines. Dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the church opened in 1964 after a decade of construction. It was declared a parish church in 1975 and a national shrine in 2015. In 2019, it was declared a minor basilica, making it the fifteenth minor basilica in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Belleville</span> Church in arrondissement of Paris

Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Belleville is one of the first churches of Neo-Gothic architecture built in Paris. Located at 139 rue de Belleville, in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, it was built between 1854 and 1859.

References

  1. Wee, Salvador. "A Brief History of the Ateneo de Zamboanga". Philippine Clipper. Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus. pp. 786–787.