Tarlac Cathedral

Tarlac Cathedral
Tarlac Cathedral
San Sebastian Cathedral Parish
Catedral de San Sebastián de Tarlac (Spanish)
	Cathedral facade in 2023
	Tarlac Cathedral Location in Luzon Tarlac Cathedral Location in the Philippines
	15°29′16″N 120°35′17″E / 15.487663°N 120.588134°E
Location	Tarlac
Country	Philippines
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Status	Cathedral
Founded	1686
Dedication	Saint Sebastian
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architectural type	Church building
Style	Neo-Gothic
Completed	Post-1945
Specifications
Nave width	30 metres (98 ft)
Number of domes	1
Materials	Gravel, cement, steel, concrete
Administration
Province	Tarlac
Archdiocese	San Fernando
Diocese	Tarlac
Clergy
Archbishop	Florentino Lavarias
Bishop(s)	Sede Vacante

San Sebastian Cathedral Parish, commonly known as 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 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]

Parish history

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

The first known parochial building of Tarlac is attributed to Father Agustín Barriocanal in 1740.

Later in 1872, a wood and stone church was erected by Father Baltasar Gamarra. Construction lasted until 1875 under Father Tomás Fito, and was completed by Father Fermín Sardón in 1890. The finished church was said to have been identical to the church of Concepcion.

This structure was completely destroyed in 1945 during the Second World War. It was later rebuilt as the present-day church.^[2]

Gallery

Cathedral interior in 2024
Stained glass window featuring Saint Sebastian
Church sanctuary
Altar rails
Santo Entierro

References

^ 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.
^ ^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

Media related to Tarlac Cathedral at Wikimedia Commons
Tarlac Cathedral on Facebook

[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.

[Angels_in_Stone_2nd-2] Galende, Pedro (1996). Angels in Stone: Architecture of Augustinian Churches in the Philippines (1st ed.). Manila, Philippines: San Agustin Museum. p. 166. ISBN 9719157100.

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