The St. Catherine of Alexandria church is renowned for its grand appearance due to its “basilica-like” form.
Source: Patrickroque01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Changes made: converted to WEBP
As a predominantly Catholic country, churches are considered significant places, and this is true for Cebu.
The Spanish settlers planted numerous churches, spreading as far from the main city as the northern and especially southern regions of the island, such as Boljoon, Alcoy, Dalaguete, Oslob, and Carcar.
The majority of Cebu’s churches incorporate Spanish architecture and have distinct features that immediately tell you they’re Catholic churches. But the city of Carcar says otherwise.
THE CHURCH IN THE HERITAGE CITY OF THE SOUTH
Carcar City is known as the Heritage City of the South largely because of the well-maintained colonial-era structures and its contribution to Cebu’s history and culture.
One church in particular stands out for its odd yet grand look—a mixture of Greco-Roman and Muslim architecture. It’s called the Santa Catalina de Alejandría, also known as The Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Catherine of Alexandria.
Built in the late 19th century as a result of Cebu’s economic boom, the church is not only recognized as one of the Vicariate of St. Catherine of Alexandria, but it is also known as Cebu’s second oldest church.
THE CHURCH’S ARCHITECTURE
The church was built with a limestone foundation, as did most churches during the Spanish colonial era.
But out of all the churches in Cebu, St. Catherine of Alexandria is the only one with onion domes on its belfries, creating a Moorish/Muslim facade.
At the time of its construction, Spain was experiencing the wake of Romanticism Orientalism—heavily influencing most of its architecture with neo-Mudejar and Baroque Revival aesthetics.
It is a type of Moorish Revival architecture that was famous around Europe and the Americas during the 19th century—focusing on “Orientalism.”
As seen on the church’s intricate front, they incorporated the Baroque Revival aesthetic along with the white of the limestone, creating a Greco-Roman look.
Guarding the gates of the church are thirteen life-size statues—the 11 Apostles of Jesus, Matthias (the replacement of Judas after his death), and the lone statue in front of the convent, Judas Iscariot.
OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA CHURCH
They built the church on a hilltop to deflect attacks from “infidels” and serve as the last refuge for emergencies or any oncoming invaders. The church spires and belfries served as watchtowers. (2020)
It also served as the city’s basilica and included a then-detached convent to house the friars and nuns. It took 16 years for Fray Manuel Rubio Fernandez to finish both the church and the convent.
The church’s convent is designed like a “bahay na bato,” rocks and stones being the main foundation of the ground floor and a wooden structure for the living area.
It served both a function and design during the Spanish colonial era—weathering the country’s tropical storms as well as preventing the structure from crumbling after an earthquake.
Nowadays, the convent serves as a museum (not to be confused with Carcar Museum).
Inside the museum, you can find different kinds of displays, such as the many iterations of the Sto. Niño. You can also find images and statues of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, from the colonial era.
THE HEART OF CARCAR CITY
Over the course of more than three centuries, the church of St. Catherine of Alexandria withstood years of war, storms, and natural disasters.
The church had to make drastic improvements while maintaining its original design to keep up with modern-day demands. It now also stands beside Cebu’s first boarding school for girls, St. Catherine’s School. (2013)
To this day, many of the faithful Catholics of Carcar City flock to the church to celebrate mass and the town’s fiestas.
MASS SCHEDULES
MONDAY TO FRIDAY HOLY MASSES:
6:00 AM
5:00 PM
SATURDAY HOLY MASSES:
6:00 AM
6:00 PM (ANTICIPATED)
SUNDAY HOLY MASSES:
4:30 AM
6:00 AM
8:00 AM (LIVE ON FACEBOOK)
10:00 AM
3:00 PM
5:00 PM
7:00PM (LIVE ON FACEBOOK)
HOW TO GET THERE
Take a bus going to Carcar City at the South Bus Terminal. When you’re in the city proper, hail a pedicab driver and tell them you’re going to “Sta. Catalina Church.”
The church is located behind the Carcar Town Plaza, and it won’t be too difficult to spot.
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If you ever find yourself taking a trip down south, don’t hesitate to visit the church and admire its unusual facade while also learning about its history.
REFERENCES:
Cañete, Reuben. 2020. “St. Catherine’s Church in Carcar, Cebu—a noble church on the hill.” BluPrint.
https://bluprint-onemega.com/architecture/heritage/st-catherines-church-carcar/
Obotology. 2013. “Carcar: Heritage City of Cebu.”
https://obotology.wordpress.com/2013/08/24/carcar-heritage-city-of-cebu/.
