Subsequent to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Apung Mamacalulu in Angeles Metropolis, our group headed to San Fernando to go to the Metropolitan Cathedral. Like most church buildings of Pampanga, the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando has an enormous historic significance and in reality, it was just lately declared as an necessary Cultural property by the Nationwide Museum of the Philippines.
Curiously, the cathedral was previously referred to as the Cathedral of Our Girl of Assumption. The primary church was established in 1755 by the Augustinian Friars and positioned it below the patronage of San Fernando III. San Fernando or Saint Ferdinand was the King of Castille from 1217 and is often known as the patron saint of engineers. The primary church of San Fernando was constructed with picket partitions and nipa roofing. On October 17, 1757, townsfolk petitioned the governor-general for exemptions from tribute to allow them to construct the church and convent.
In 1788, the church was transferred below the administration of secular clergymen (Filipino clergymen). The development of the current fashion church began throughout the identical 12 months below the supervision Fr. Manuel Canlas, its first secular cura parroco (parish priest). It was additionally executed with the cooperation of a committee composed of the principales (rich residents) of the city. Development was accomplished in 1808, however this time, the church was rededicated below the patronage of Our Girl of the Assumption.
Ruins of the outdated church
Like many elderly Spanish church buildings within the nation, the church additionally witnessed quite a few battles significantly in the course of the Philippine revolution. The church served an important position as a station for revolutionary forces in 1898 in the course of the Philippine Revolution towards Spanish colonial rule.
President Emilio F. Aguinaldo and his cupboard considered the Philippine Revolutionary Military from the home windows of the convento on October 9, 1898. The Filipino military have been enormously outnumbered by the People who had higher arms and extra ammunition. Normal Antonio Luna, then answerable for the Philippine forces, adopted a scorched-earth coverage (A navy technique of burning or destroying crops or different assets that may be of use to an invading enemy power). Each church and convent have been burned by Gen. Antonio Luna’s troopers earlier than abandoning the city to the People on Might 4, 1899.
Other than this, the church was totally destroyed in many alternative events, together with a fireplace incident in 1939. It was restored by a Kapampangan Architect Fernando H. Ocampo who is similar architect behind the present Manila Cathedral structure. From its earlier Baroque fashion, it was rebuilt with a brand new Neo-Classical fashion.
In 1948 the church was elevated to Cathedral when it turned the seat of the Diocese of San Fernando. In 1975, the diocese was elevated by Pope Paul VI, to Archdiocese of San Fernando. On December 11, 1998, the Golden Jubilee anniversary of its creation as a diocese the Archdiocese of San Fernando’s Cathedral of the Assumption was consecrated and rededicated as The Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando.
Structure-wise, the present church has a quite simple facade coated in clear white and adorned with grey fake columns and balusters.
It incorporates a porch in the principle entrance with the picture of the Immaculate Coronary heart of Mary above it together with Archdiocese coat of arms. The facade additionally featured colourful stained-glass home windows and a rose window that includes the picture of Our Girl close to its pediment.
Connected to the left aspect is the gorgeous belfry with a wind vane on high.
On the suitable aspect of the church is the convent.
You too can discover an enormous statue of San Fernando close to the parking space.
The inside of the church is way extra mesmerizing. It seems extra spacious inside and it matches the identical white and grey colour scheme.
What makes it actual grand is the massive dome above its predominant altar.
The dome incorporates a sequence of stained glass home windows with pairs of fake columns in between. The dome itself options octagonal niches of varied sizes.
The nave and the altar
The primary sanctuary that’s barely elevated. It additionally options altar rails.
The Cathedra or Bishop’s chair.
The gorgeous predominant altar that enshrines the picture of Our Girl of the Assumption
Nuestra Señora dela Asuncion (Our Girl of the Assumption)
There are two aspect altars within the Cathedral. One options the picture of San Fernando
The opposite one options the picture of Virgen delos Remedios, the principal patroness of the province of Pampanga
You too can spot a pulpit throughout the principle altar
The nave as considered from the sanctuary.
This Publish is a part of my Pampanga Pilgrimage sequence. Be at liberty to revisit my earlier articles right here
Reference: SunStar PH / CBCP Information / Taga Pampanga Ku /