The Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando, formerly known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, is a neo-classical Roman Catholic 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 . 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 parish priest, and a committee composed of the of the town. They were led by Bernabe Pamintuan. Construction was completed in 1808. The church was rededicated to the Assumption of Our Lady.
The church measures . long, . wide and high. The round dome rising from the rotunda of the transept is reminiscent of the Baroque style with some Renaissance elements.
President Emilio Aguinaldo and his cabinet viewed the Philippine Revolutionary Army from the windows of the convent on October 9, 1898. On orders of General Antonio Luna, the Philippine Revolutionary Army burned the church and convent, as well as most of their records, on May 4, 1899 during the Philippine-American war.
20th century
The church was destroyed by fire again in 1939, and restored by Kapampangan 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. Florentino Lavarias, D.D.Henares, Ivan Anthony S. San Fernando: a city rich in architectural heritage
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, PC: 2007–2013 Very Rev. Msgr. Eugenio Reyes, JCD, PA: 2013–2018 Rev. Fr. Ricarthy D. Macalino: 2018–2019 Rev. Fr. Marius Roque: 2019–2021 Very. Rev. Msgr. Manuel C. Sta Maria, PC: 2021–2025 Rev. Fr. Joselito C. Henson, SThD: 2025-present
Gallery
References
External links