Gumaca Cathedral

The San Diego de Alcala Parish Cathedral (Filipino: Parokyang Katedral ni San Diego ng Alcala); (Spanish: Parroquia Catedral de San Diego de Alcala), commonly known as Gumaca Cathedral (Filipino: Katedral ng Gumaca); (Spanish: Catedral de Gumaca), is a Baroque-style, Roman Catholic cathedral located at Barangay San Diego Poblacion, in the town center of Gumaca, Quezon province, Calabarzon, Philippines. It is the seat and the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gumaca.[1]

Gumaca Cathedral
San Diego de Alcala Parish Cathedral
Parokyang Katedral ni San Diego ng Alcala
Parroquia Catedral de San Diego de Alcalá
Gumaca Cathedral in 2012
Gumaca Cathedral is located in Luzon
Gumaca Cathedral
Gumaca Cathedral
Location in Luzon
Gumaca Cathedral is located in Philippines
Gumaca Cathedral
Gumaca Cathedral
Gumaca Cathedral (Philippines)
13°55′18″N 122°05′58″E
LocationGumaca, Quezon
Country Philippines
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
StatusCathedral
Founded1582
DedicationSaint Didacus of Alcala
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architectural typeChurch
StyleBaroque
Completed1747, 1846, 1999
Demolished1685
Administration
ProvinceLipa
MetropolisLipa
ArchdioceseLipa
DioceseGumaca
Clergy
ArchbishopGilbert Armea Garcera
Bishop(s)Sede Vacante

History
Archival photo of the cathedral, showing the original retablo done in Neo-Gothic design, and the trompe-l'oeil ceiling paintings.

Its first establishment was in 1582 by the Franciscans, who are the first missionaries who brought Christianity to Gumaca, on its present site. It was transferred to Silangan in Alabat island in 1638. It was burned by the Dutch forces in 1665, which subsequently resulted to them transferring back to its original site in Gumaca. The church was reconstructed in 1690 and completed in 1747. The edifice and the adjoining convent were beautified in 1846. When a strong earthquake hit Gumaca on August 20, 1937,[2][3] the uppermost portion of the church belfry toppled down, leaving only three of the five-level belfry intact. During the term of Msgr. Jose Oliveros, the belfry and choirloft were reconstructed and was completed in 1999. Known as one of the biggest and oldest Catholic churches in the province of Quezon, the church is made out of coral stone blocks and bricks.[4][5][6]

Though the design of the church is mainly Baroque, archival photos show that the interiors were mainly done in Gothic Revival architecture. Its retablos and arco toral design clearly reflects this style, possible due to its popularity in the early 19th century. The church was renovated, and the retablos, together with the pulpit, were lost.

  • The cathedral as seen from the sea
    The cathedral as seen from the sea
  • The interior of the cathedral
    The interior of the cathedral
  • NHI historical marker
    NHI historical marker
  • The cathedral's belfry and buttresses
    The cathedral's belfry and buttresses

References
  1. "Gumaca Cathedral". GCatholic. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  2. "M 7.5 - Luzon, Philippines". United States Geological Survey. August 20, 1937. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  3. "Significant Earthquake: PHILIPPINES: LUZON". National Geophysical Data Center. August 20, 1937. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  4. "About the Municipality of Gumaca". Gumaca Municipal Government. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  5. "Gumaca Cathedral historical marker". Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  6. "Gumaca Cathedral Quezon". Backpack Adventures. January 5, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
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