Gumaca Cathedral

Gumaca Cathedral
San Diego de Alcala Cathedral
Parokyang Katedral ni San Diego ng Alcala (Filipino) Parroquia Catedral de San Diego de Alcalá (Spanish)
Cathedral facade in 2012
Gumaca Cathedral Location in Luzon Gumaca Cathedral Location in the Philippines
13°55′18″N 122°05′58″E
Location	Gumaca, Quezon
Country	Philippines
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Status	Cathedral
Founded	1582
Dedication	Saint Didacus of Alcala
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architectural type	Church building
Style	Baroque
Completed	1747, 1846, 1999
Demolished	1685
Administration
Province	Lipa
Metropolis	Lipa
Archdiocese	Lipa
Diocese	Gumaca
Clergy
Archbishop	Gilbert Armea Garcera
Bishop(s)	Sede Vacante Bishop-elect Euginius “Eugene” Longakit Cañete, C.I.C.M (January 4, 2025)

San Diego de Alcala Cathedral, commonly known as Gumaca Cathedral, 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 Diocese of Gumaca.

History

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

The cathedral was first established in 1582 by the Franciscans, who were 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, 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 choir loft 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.

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.

Gallery

• 
  The cathedral as seen from the sea
• 
  Cathedral interior in 2023
• 
  Church NHC historical marker
• 
  The cathedral's belfry and buttresses

External links

• Media related to Gumaca Cathedral at Wikimedia Commons
• Gumaca Cathedral on Facebook