San Fernando Cathedral (Pampanga)

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.

San Fernando Cathedral
Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando
Kalakhang Katedral ni San Fernando (Filipino) Catedral Metropolitana de San Fernando (Spanish)
Cathedral facade in 2020
San Fernando Cathedral Location in Luzon San Fernando Cathedral Location in the Philippines
15°01′42″N 120°41′35″E
Location	City of San Fernando, Pampanga
Country	Philippines
Denomination	Catholic
History
Former name(s)	Cathedral of the Assumption
Status	Metropolitan Cathedral
Founded	1754
Founder(s)	Fray Sebastian Moreno OSA
Dedication	St. Ferdinand III of Castile
Dedicated	Rededicated on December 12, 1998
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	Fernando Ocampo
Architectural type	Church building
Style	Neoclassical
Groundbreaking	1754
Completed	1948 (Present church)
Specifications
Capacity	2000
Length	70 m (230 ft)
Width	13 m (43 ft)
Height	11 m (36 ft)
Number of domes	1
Dome height (outer)	14 m (46 ft)
Materials	Adobe
Bells	3
Administration
Province	San Fernando
Metropolis	San Fernando
Archdiocese	San Fernando
Clergy
Archbishop	Florentino Galang Lavarias
Rector	Rev. Fr. Manuel C. Sta Maria
Vicar(s)	Rev. Fr. John Cenon D. Tulio

History

The burnt ruins of the San Fernando Church in 1899

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 70 metres (230 ft). long, 13 metres (43 ft). wide and 11 metres (36 ft) high. The round majestic dome rising from the rotunda 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

Church NHC historical marker installed in 2023

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. Florentino Lavarias, D.D.

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, PA: 2013–2018
• Rev. Fr. Ricarthy D. Macalino: 2018–2019
• Rev. Fr. Marius Roque: 2019–2021
• Rev. Fr. Manuel C. Sta Maria: 2021–present

Gallery

• 
  Church nave in 2017
• 
  Belfry (Bell tower)
• 
  Right side of the Cathedral
• 
  Dome interior
• 
  The Icon in the main altar
• 
  Altar of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo

External links

• Media related to San Fernando Metropolitan Cathedral in Pampanga at Wikimedia Commons
• San Fernando Cathedral on Facebook