Catmon Church Through The Years: Revised

First posted on February 11, 2019

https://catmonanonsabako.blogspot.com/2019/02/catmon-church-through-years_86.html

Philippine-Spanish Architecture

The history of Philippine architecture under the Spanish regime begins with the arrival of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi’s expedition in February 13, 1565, in Cebu Island, together with the first batch of missionaries, The Augustinians. They built their first port in the country Fuerza de San Pedro now known as Fort San Pedro which became the Spanish trading outpost and stronghold for the region.

It was in the middle of 1580s the use of stones was introduced upon the discovery of stone quarries. The art of masonry was developed throughout the islands. Edifices began to be constructed of stone. Some were erected using shaped rocks and river stones. Bricks were also introduced. Different region uses different materials in building their Churches.

In Manila and central Luzon most of the buildings were made of a volcanic rock, mud and straw formed into rectangular blocks and dried in the sun. In northern Luzon brick was the essential building material; all the way down to Jolo, Sulu. Towns along the coasts of Luzon, especially from Zambales to Batangas, used roughly hewn blocks of coral stone. In the Bicol peninsula many construction took advantage of the abundant volcanic stone.

The craft of cutting stone or coral was virtually elevated into a fine art throughout the Visayas. Coral blocks fitted so accurately into each other not even a razor blade could be inserted between blocks, and was so durable that it did not have to be reinforced with anything.

More than three centuries of Spanish initiative, buildings of wood, stone, and brick were constructed all over the archipelago, from the Batanes Islands in the north to Tawi-Tawi in the south, from Palawan in the west to Samar in the east.

(Idea taken from http://nlpdl.nlp.gov.ph)

 

The 185 Years Old Church of Catmon

270 years later after Legaspi landed in Cebu, and 255 years after the stone quarry was discovered and made an integral part of the Spanish architectures, Catmon was separated from its mother parish Danao on November 2, 1835.

Cebu being part of the Visayas was known to be a place for these so-called fine crafters of cutting coral stones, no wonder Cebu’s Churches are mostly made of such precious stones, huge blocks of coral stones. When you see a church made out of this material, you can tell that this edifice is more than or a little less than 200 years old. These are the churches built by our ancestors during the Spanish era on which method no living creatures know, materials are near impossible to obtain, and skills no longer around.

Our Parish Church stands proudly and magnificently thriving above all odds brought about in 185 years of existence. The church was built with an adjacent convent, a school, and attached three-story belfry. The belfry, affording a good view of the surrounding land and sea, also used as watchtower. The bells performed many services for the community; the primary reason was to warn the parishioners of any impending danger, then, tolling the hours, calling the congregation to worship, and announcing important events. The School made of stone was called “Escuela Catolica”, remnants of this edifice can still be seen overlooking the sea and the provincial road. The old Spanish time convent was completely demolished to give way for the construction of a new rectory in 1956 during the time of Fr. Nicolas Navarro. It was also during his time that the first Church Altar renovation or perhaps the right word is destruction was implemented. The belfry remains standing superbly as it was 185 years ago.

The main longitudinal body of the church is the nave, the central part, and is 33 fathoms long, 8 fathoms wide and 9 fathoms tall up to the ridge of its roof. The main entrance is through the huge wooden doors in front of the Church and four other wooden doors two on each side. To the left, as you enter the main door was the baptistery, where newly born babies were baptized into the Christian faith. The placing of the baptistery close to the entrance was symbolic of one’s entry into the Christian community.

Windows, I believe were made from the translucent capiz clam, which allowed light to filter through while at the same time acting as a protective barrier before it was replaced. The replacements however, are stained glass windows with different religious designs speak of evolution to progress again out of necessity.

At the far end of the sanctuary is the main altar, with its elaborate but simple design (the former). Behind the main altar was the sacristy, where the priest and his assistants put on their vestments before celebrating mass. The priest delivered his sermon from the pulpit, an elevated structure located at the side of the altar near the steps. The interior of the church is furnished with side altars, paintings, and carvings and sculptures of religious subjects, but everything was intended to focus attention on the tabernacle at the center of the main altar. One notable painting is found on the left side of the main entrance door right above the entrance to baptistery directly below the Choir Loft is said to be painted by Ricardo Avila, San Nicolas, Cebu on Dec.1937.

Parish Choirs performed at the loft just over the main entrance. Adjacent to the baptistery is the only access to the loft and belfry. All these are characteristics of a Spanish colonial tradition, which remind us of the immeasurable aspirations and unparalleled artistry of long-ago.

The Revolution of our Church Altar

Human, Time, and Nature, continuously conspired to erase this memory. Today, the outside wall of our church is in its original form, while inside have been spoiled by numerous developments. Tasteless Renovation which was followed by a magnificent Restoration and Preservation project in 1984 in time for the Jubilee Year. In 2018, another Unsavory Renovation of the Altar Ceiling and Wall and followed by another excessive renovation in 2019. Physical developments which superimpose and supersede the original features of our Church, I call it No Renovation but Indecorous Destruction of the Catmonanons' Inimitable Treasure. Where can you find a Church like ours? Every Church is unique, every Church is different. And this Church of ours has a long history that no living parishioner can retell exactly what it was like yesteryears. The only clear-cut story that linger can be specifically traced from the remaining original features and those features wiped out by human failure now thrives only in our memory.

The Greatest Gift Ever

The greatest that ever gifted to us Catmonanons is our Church. I was and am very proud to talk about the amazing architectural feat of our Church. How the natives of Catmon along with the Spanish Augustinian Recollects built our Church 185 years ago. The materials used and the simple artistry applied outside and inside speaks of the Church itself, no need to elaborate. But sad to say, the idea of constant renovation already finds its way to the depths of the young generation minds and it will continue to grind until we see the last of these authentic features no more, gone forever. Our Church is the last one standing, all the rest are but remnants of those glorious moments of the distant past.