Borongan Cathedral

Borongan Cathedral (Waray: Katedral han Borongan), or the Cathedral Parish of the Nativity of Our Lady (Waray: Parokya-Katedral han Matawo han Birhen Maria), is a Roman Catholic cathedral church located near the mouth of the Loom River, in the city of Borongan, Eastern Samar, Philippines. It is the seat of the Diocese of Borongan.[1]

Borongan Cathedral
Cathedral Parish of the Nativity of Our Lady
Parokya-Katedral han Matawo han Birhen Maria
Parroquia Catedral del Nacimiento de la Vírgen María
Borongan Cathedral in 2012
Borongan Cathedral is located in Visayas
Borongan Cathedral
Borongan Cathedral
Location in Visayas
Borongan Cathedral is located in Philippines
Borongan Cathedral
Borongan Cathedral
Borongan Cathedral (Philippines)
11°36′26″N 125°25′57″E
LocationBorongan, Eastern Samar
Country Philippines
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
StatusCathedral
Founded1710
DedicationNativity of Our Lady
Consecrated1710
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architectural typeChurch
StyleBaroque
Completed1710, 1781, 1853, 1873, 1887, 1950, 1962
Demolished1773
Administration
ArchdiocesePalo
DioceseBorongan
Clergy
Bishop(s)Crispin Barrete Varquez

History

Father Francisco Diez built the original church in 1710 in honor of the Blessed Virgin of Nativity. Franciscan priests transferred the church administration in 1768 to the Jesuits. In 1773, it was consumed by fire. It was rebuilt and enlarged under the direction of Father Roque de Osma in 1781. A round bell tower was added in 1853 by Father Juan Navarette. The design of the church was made in the shape of a cross by Father Antonio Sanchez in 1873. In 1887, Father Arsenio Figueroa changed the roof and was replaced with a sink or metal. In 1939, Franciscan priests transferred the administration of the church to its first Filipino parish priest, Father Francisco Palomeras, who added a second floor to the bell tower. In 1950, the third floor was built by Padre Potenciano Ortega.

In 1961, it became the seat and the cathedral of the Borongan Diocese. In 1962, it underwent a major transformation and expansion by the Reverend Vicente P. Reyes, D.D., the first bishop of Borongan. The only part of the old church that remains until today is the circular bell tower.[2] In 1998, the NHI installed the historical marker of the cathedral.[2][1]

  • NHI historical marker
    NHI historical marker
  • The interior of the cathedral
    The interior of the cathedral
  • The cathedral as seen from afar
    The cathedral as seen from afar
  • The cathedral's entrance
    The cathedral's entrance

References
  1. "Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Borongan City, EASTERN SAMAR, EASTERN VISAYAS, Philippines". GCatholic. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  2. "NHCP Borongan Marker". Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
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