Manila Cathedral
The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which is commonly known as Manila Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Manila. It is located in Intramuros, the historic walled city in Manila, Philippines, and is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patron saint of the country.
| Manila Cathedral | |
|---|---|
| Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception | |
| The Mother Church of the Philippines | |
Main façade and bell tower in October 2023 | |
| 14°35′29″N 120°58′25″E | |
| Location | Intramuros, Manila |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language(s) | Filipino, English |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Tradition | Roman Rite |
| Website | Manila Cathedral |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Church of Manila |
| Authorising papal bull | February 6, 1579 |
| Status | |
| Founded | 1571 |
| Founder(s) | Fray Juan de Vivero |
| Dedication | Immaculate Conception |
| Dedicated | December 10, 1958 |
| Consecrated | December 7, 1958 |
| Relics held | |
| Events | Annual events
Past events
|
| Past bishop(s) | |
| Associated people | Miguel López de Legazpi |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Important Cultural Property |
| Designated | 2018 |
| Previous cathedrals | 7 |
| Architect(s) | Fernando Ocampo |
| Architectural type | Cathedral |
| Style | Neo-Romanesque |
| Years built | |
| Groundbreaking | December 8, 1954 |
| Completed | December 8, 1958 |
| Construction cost | ₱120 million (renovation) |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 2,000 |
| Length | 84.4 m (277 ft) |
| Width | 31.4 m (103 ft) |
| Nave width | 11.9 m (39 ft) |
| Width across transepts | 48.9 m (160 ft) |
| Other dimensions | Façade facing northwest |
| Number of floors | 2 |
| Floor area | 3,000 m2 (32,000 sq ft) |
| Number of domes | 1 |
| Number of towers | 1 |
| Tower height | 55 meters (180 ft) |
| Materials | Adobe and cement |
| Bells | 23 |
| Administration | |
| Province | Manila |
| Metropolis | Manila |
| Archdiocese | Manila |
| Deanery | Nuestra Señora de Guia |
| Parish | Immaculate Conception |
| Clergy | |
| Archbishop | Cardinal Jose Advincula |
| Rector | Rolando Ramos Dela Cruz |
| Vicar(s) | Vicente Gabriel San Jose Bautista |
| Chancellor | Isidro T. Marinay |
| Laity | |
| Organist(s) | Alejandro D. Consolacion II |
| Organ scholar | Raphael Martin Yu Andaya |
The cathedral was originally constructed in 1571 as a parish church under the Archdiocese of Mexico until it became a separate diocese on February 6, 1579, upon the issuance of the papal bull Illius Fulti Præsido by Pope Gregory XIII. The cathedral was damaged and destroyed several times since the original structure was built in 1581. The eighth and current cathedral building was completed in 1958.
The basilica has merited a papal endorsement from Pope Gregory XIII, and three apostolic visits from Popes Paul VI, John Paul II and Francis. Pope John Paul II raised the shrine to the status of Minor Basilica through his pontifical decree Quod ipsum on April 27, 1981.