Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando

Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando
Location	City of San Fernando, Pampanga,
Country	Philippines
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Former name(s)	Cathedral of the Assumption
Founded	1754
Founder(s)	Fray Sebastian Moreno OSA
Dedicated	Rededicated on December 12, 1998
Architecture
Status	Metropolitan Cathedral
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	Fernando Ocampo
Architectural type	Church
Style	Neoclassical
Groundbreaking	1754
Completed	1948 (Present church)
Specifications
Capacity	2000
Length	70 meters
Width	13 meters
Height	11 meters
Number of domes	1
Dome height (outer)	14 meters
Materials	Adobe
Bells	3
Administration
Archdiocese	Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando
Province	Ecclesiastical Province of San Fernando
Clergy
Archbishop	Most Rev. Florentino G. Lavarias, D.D.
Rector	Msgr. Eugenio G. Reyes, J.C.D., PA

Interior and main altar of the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando formerly Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is a neo-classical church in the City of San Fernando, in Pampanga Province of the Philippines. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of San Fernando.

History

In 1755 the first structure of wood and thatch was built on this site by the Augustinian friars under the patronage of San Fernando III, King of Castile. Fray Sebastian Moreno, O.S.A. was its first cura parroco. On October 17, 1757, townsfolk petitioned the governor-general for exemptions from tribute to enable them to build the church and convent.

It was transferred to the care of secular priests in 1788. The construction of the present style church started during the same year under the supervision Fr. Manuel Canlas, its first secular cura parroco, and a committee composed of the principales of the town. They were led by gobernadorcillo Bernabe Pamintuan. Construction was completed in 1808. The church was rededicated to the Assumption of Our Lady.

The church measures 70m. long, 13m. wide and 11m. high. The round majestic dome rising from the rotanda of the transept is reminiscent of the Baroque style with some Renaissance elements.

President Emilio F. Aguinaldo and his cabinet viewed the Philippine Revolutionary Army from the windows of the convento on October 9, 1898. On orders of Gen. Antonio Luna, the Philippine Revolutionary Army burned the church and convento on May 4, 1899.

20th century

The church was destroyed by fire again in 1939, and restored by Pampango Architect Fernando H. Ocampo in 1948.

In 1948 the church was elevated to Cathedral when it became the seat of the Diocese of San Fernando, canonically created by Pope Pius XII.

In 1975, the diocese was elevated by Pope Paul VI, to Archdiocese of San Fernando. Its first bishop was Monsignor Cesar Ma. Guerrero, D.D. He was followed by the Most Reverend Emilio A. Cinense, D.D., who became its first archbishop. He was succeeded by the Most Reverend Oscar V. Cruz, D.D. in 1978. The third archbishop of San Fernando is the Most Reverend Paciano B. Aniceto, D.D. Pamp, and the current is Most Rev. Francisco Llavaras, D.D.^[1]

In 2014, the Cathedral underwent a major renovation and restoration under the leadership of Msgr. Eugenio G. Reyes.

Rectors

• Very Rev. Msgr. Prudencio David, VG 1918–1952.
• Very Rev. Msgr. Bartolome Zabala 1952–1958.
• Very Rev. Msgr. Pedro Puno, VG 1958–1969.
• Very Rev. Msgr. Diosdado Victorio, VG 1969–1974.
• Very Rev. Msgr. Serafin Ocampo 1974–1981.
• Very Rev. Msgr. Jesus Galang 1981–1992.
• Most Rev. Paciano Aniceto, D.D. 1992–1995.
• Very Rev. Msgr. Eugenio Mercado, VF 1995–2002.
• Very Rev. Msgr. Cenovio Lumanog, VG 2002–2007.
• Very Rev. Msgr. Ricardo Jesus Serrano, SLD 2007–2013.
• Very Rev. Msgr. Eugenio Reyes, JCD 2013–present

Image gallery

• 
  Belfry (Bell tower)
• 
  Right side of the Cathedral
• 
  Dome interior
• 
  The Icon in the main altar
• 
  Interior with main altar
• 
  Altar of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo

References

1. Henares, Ivan Anthony S. San Fernando: a city rich in architectural heritage