Tarlac Cathedral

Summary

The San Sebastian Cathedral, also referred to as the Tarlac Cathedral, is a post-war, Neo-Gothic Roman Catholic church located in Brgy. Mabini, Tarlac City, Philippines. The cathedral, which was dedicated to Saint Sebastian in 1686, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarlac. A historical marker of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines was unveiled near the cathedral's entrance on July 15, 2022.[1]

Tarlac Cathedral
  • San Sebastian Cathedral
  • Catedral de San Sebastián de Tarlac (Spanish)
Tarlac Cathedral in 2023
Tarlac Cathedral is located in Luzon
Tarlac Cathedral
Tarlac Cathedral
Location in Luzon
Tarlac Cathedral is located in Philippines
Tarlac Cathedral
Tarlac Cathedral
Location in the Philippines
15°29′16″N 120°35′17″E / 15.487663°N 120.588134°E / 15.487663; 120.588134
LocationTarlac
CountryPhilippines
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
StatusCathedral
Founded1686
DedicationSaint Sebastian
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architectural typeChurch building
StyleNeo-Gothic
CompletedPost-1945
Specifications
Nave width30 metres (98 ft)
Number of domes1
MaterialsGravel, cement, steel, concrete
Administration
ProvinceTarlac
ArchdioceseSan Fernando
DioceseTarlac
Clergy
ArchbishopFlorentino Lavarias
Bishop(s)Sede Vacante

Parish history edit

 
Church NHC historical marker

The town of Tarlac was said to have been established in 1686 by priests assigned to Magalang, Pampanga. The town was managed by the Augustinians from Pampanga until in 1725, a petition was brought to the attention of the Father Provincial to separate Tarlac from its distant matrix. In 1727, the separation was fulfilled with Tarlac being declared an independent parish. In 1757, however, the parish of Tarlac was annexed back to Magalang for quite some time.[2]

Architectural history edit

 
Cathedral interior in 2015

The first parochial building of Tarlac is attributed to Father Agustin Barriocanal in 1740. Later on, in 1872, a wood and stone church was erected by Father Baltasar Gamarra. Construction of the said structure lasted until 1875 by Father Tomas Fito and was completed by Father Fermin Sardon in 1890. The finished church was said to have been identical to the church of Concepcion. The church was completely destroyed during the war, in 1945. It was later rebuilt into the present-day church structure.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Calayag, Maria Adelaida D. (July 14, 2022). "Retired TSU professor, now NHCP commissioner leads Tarlac Cathedral historical marker unveiling". tsu.edu.ph. Tarlac State University. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Galende, Pedro (1996). Angels in Stone: Architecture of Augustinian Churches in the Philippines (1st ed.). Manila, Philippines: San Agustin Museum. p. 166. ISBN 9719157100.

External links edit

  •   Media related to Tarlac Cathedral at Wikimedia Commons