San Sebastian Church (Manila)

{{Short description|Roman Catholic church in Manila, Philippines}}

{{Other uses|St. Sebastian's Church (disambiguation){{!}}St. Sebastian's Church}}

{{Infobox church

| name = San Sebastian Church

| fullname = {{unbulleted list|Minor Basilica and Parish of San Sebastian|Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel}}

| native_name = {{unbulleted list|{{native name|fil|Basilika Menor at Parokya ng San Sebastian}}|{{native name|es|Basílica Menor de San Sebastián}}}}

| image = Basílica de San Sebastián, Manila, Filipinas, 2023-08-27, DD 06.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Main façade in 2023

| pushpin map =

| pushpin label position = left

| pushpin map alt =

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| coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q174968|dim:30_region:PH_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| osgridref =

| location = Quiapo, Manila

| country = Philippines

| denomination = Roman Catholic

| religious order = Augustinian Recollects

| former name =

| bull date =

| founded date = {{start date and age|1621}}

| founder =

| dedication = St. Sebastian and Our Lady of Mount Carmel

| dedicated date =

| consecrated date = {{start date and age|1891|8|16}}

| status = Minor Basilica

| functional status = Active

| heritage designation = National Cultural Treasure

| designated date = {{start date|2011|8|15}}

| architect = D. Genaro Palacios y Guerra

| architectural type = Basilica

| style = Neo-Gothic

| groundbreaking = {{start date and age|1888}}

| completed date = {{start date and age|1891|8|16}}

| construction cost =

| closed date =

| demolished date =

| capacity =

| length =

| width =

| width nave =

| height =

| diameter =

| other dimensions =

| floor count =

| floor area =

| dome quantity = 1

| dome height outer = {{cvt|12|m|sp=us}}

| dome height inner =

| dome dia outer =

| dome dia inner =

| spire quantity = 64

| tower height = {{cvt|32|m|sp=us}}

| tower quantity = 2

| materials = Steel, mixed sand, gravel and cement

| archdiocese = Manila

| deanery = Jose de Trozo{{Cite web |title=Vicariate of Jose de Trozo |url=https://www.rcam.org/our-parishes/vicariate-of-jose-de-trozo/ |access-date=March 4, 2021 |website=Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila |archive-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128122731/https://www.rcam.org/our-parishes/vicariate-of-jose-de-trozo/ |url-status=live }}

| parish = San Sebastian

| rector = Rev. Fr. Edgar P. Tubio, {{Post-nominals|list=OAR}}

| website = {{URL|https://www.rcam.org/sansebastianchurch/|San Sebastian Church}}

| module = {{designation list|embed=yes

| designation1 = PNHL

| designation1_offname = Simbahan ng San Sebastian

| designation1_type = House of worship

| designation1_date = {{start date and age|1973|8|1}}{{cite PH act|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1973/08/01/presidential-decree-no-260-s-1973|title=Declaring the Sta. Ana Site Museum in Manila, the Roman Catholic Churches of Paoay and Bacarra in Ilocos Norte, the San Agustin Church and Liturgical Objects Therein in Intramuros, Manila, Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City, the Petroglyphs of the Rock-shelter in Angono, Rizal, the Petroglyphs of Alab, Bontoc, the Stone Agricultural Calendars of Dap-ay Guiday in Besao, Bontoc, the Mummy Caves of Kabayan, Benguet and of Sagada and Alab, Bontoc, the Ifugao Rice Terraces of Banaue as National Cultural Treasures; and the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, Tirad Pass in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, the Miagao Church in Miagao, Iloilo, the Site of the Battle of Mactan on Mactan Island, Cebu, the San Sebastian Church in Quiapo, Manila, and the Church and Convent of Santo Niño in Cebu City as National Shrines, Monuments, and/or Landmarks, Defining the Implementing Agencies and Providing Funds Therefor|chamber=PD|number=260|date=August 1, 1973|publisher=The Official Gazette|accessdate=September 14, 2024}}

| designation1_free1name = Legal basis

| designation1_free1value = [https://philhistoricsites.nhcp.gov.ph/registry_database/simbahan-ng-san-sebastian PD No. 260, s. 1973]

| designation1_free2name = Region

| designation1_free2value = National Capital Region

| designation1_free3name = Marker date

| designation1_free3value = {{start date and age|1976}}

}}

The Minor Basilica and Parish of San Sebastian,{{efn|{{langx|fil|Basilika Menor at Parokya ng San Sebastian}}; {{langx|es|Basílica Menor de San Sebastián}}}} also known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel{{cn|date=December 2024}} and commonly known as San Sebastian Church{{efn|{{langx|fil|Simbahan ng San Sebastian}}}} or San Sebastian Basilica, is a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church in Manila, Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Manila.

San Sebastian Church's current structure was completed in 1891, and is noted for its architecture. An example of the Gothic Revival architecture in the Philippines, it is the only steel building church in the Philippines.{{Cite web |title=San Sebastian Church |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/518/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323202626/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/518/ |archive-date=March 23, 2015 |access-date=September 6, 2017 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre }}{{harvp|Layug|2007|page=88}}. "The basilica is the first and the only all-steel church in Asia, the second in the world after the Eiffel Tower of Paris (French engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel himself is also rumored BUT NEVER CONFIRMED to have been involved in the basilica's construction) " It was designated as a National Historical Landmark in 1973{{harvp|Layug|2007|page=88 }} and as a National Cultural Treasure in 2011.

San Sebastian Church is under the care of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, who also operate the San Sebastian College-Recoletos adjacent to the basilica. It is located at Plaza del Carmen, near the eastern end of Recto Avenue, in Quiapo, Manila.{{harvp|Layug|2007|page=87 }}

History

File:Ss1fb.jpg

File:KITLV A393 - De San Sebastian Kerk te Manila op de Filippijnen, KITLV 85699.tiff

In 1621, Bernardino Castillo, a generous patron and a devotee of the 3rd-century Roman martyr Saint Sebastian, donated the land upon which the church stands. The original structure, made of wood, burned in 1651 during a Chinese Filipino uprising. Succeeding structures, which were built of brick, were destroyed by fire and earthquakes in 1859, 1863, and 1880.

In the 1880s, Esteban Martínez, the parish priest of the ruined church, approached Spanish architect Genaro Palacios to build a church that will withstand the earthquakes. Palacios planned to build a fire and earthquake-resistant structure made entirely of steel. He completed a design that fused Earthquake Baroque with the Neo-Gothic style. His final design was said to have been inspired by the famed Gothic Burgos Cathedral in Burgos, Spain.

=Construction=

The prefabricated steel sections that would compose the church were manufactured in Binche, Belgium. According to historian Ambeth Ocampo, the knockdown steel parts were ordered from the Societe anonyme des Enterprises de Travaux Publiques in Brussels.{{Cite web |last=De Jesus |first=Findelle |date=n.d. |title=The San Sebastian Church – Gustave Eiffel's Church in the Philippines |url=http://www.artesdelasfilipinas.com/main/archives.php?pid=24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522174401/http://www.artesdelasfilipinas.com/main/archives.php?pid=24 |archive-date=May 22, 2008 |access-date=April 20, 2008 |website=Artes de las Filipinas: A Website in Honor of Philippine Arts and Antiquities }} In all, {{convert|52|t|sp=us}} of prefabricated steel sections were transported in eight separate shipments from Belgium to the Philippines, the first shipment arriving in 1888. Belgian engineers supervised the assembly of the church, the first column of which was erected on September 11, 1890.{{harvp|Layug|2007|pages=87–88 }} The walls were filled with mixed sand, gravel, and cement. The stained glass windows were imported from the Heinrich Oidtmann Company, a German stained glass firm, while local artisans assisted in applying the finishing touches.

The church was raised to the status of a minor basilica by Pope Leo XIII on June 24, 1890. Upon its completion the following year, on August 16, 1891, the {{lang|es|Basílica Menor de San Sebastián}} was consecrated by Bernardino Nozaleda y Villa OP, the 25th Archbishop of Manila.

According to Jesús Pastor Paloma, an Augustinian Recollect priest, the structure was also supposed to have a prefabricated retablo (reredos) altar, which was lost at sea when the ship carrying it from Belgium capsized in a storm. A wooden altar was made locally in its stead. Paloma also noted that the bottom part of the church was designed to resemble a ship's hull, so that it would sway during an earthquake.{{Cite web |first=Benjie |last=Layug |url=http://benjielayug.com/2016/02/church-of-st-james-the-apostle-ibaan-batangas.html |title=Minor Basilica of San Sebastian (Manila) |date=March 19, 2022 |website=benjielayug.com |access-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320085844/http://benjielayug.com/2016/02/church-of-st-james-the-apostle-ibaan-batangas.html |url-status=live }}

=Preservation and restoration=

File:San Sebastián Church Restoration, Feb 2024.jpg

In recent years, San Sebastian Church has encountered threats to its structural integrity. The steel structure has been beset by rust and corrosion due to sea breezes from nearby Manila Bay. State funding was accorded to the church through the National Historical Institute which undertook restoration in 1982. The Recollect community has likewise expended funds for the church's maintenance and restoration. In 1998, it was placed on the biennial watchlist of the 100 Most Endangered Sites by the World Monuments Fund, though it was not retained in the subsequent watchlists.{{Cite web |title=San Sebastian Basilica |url=https://www.wmf.org/project/san-sebastian-basilica |access-date=October 21, 2021 |website=World Monuments Fund |language=en |archive-date=April 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407175458/http://wmf.org/watch_past.html |url-status=live }}

The church was listed again as one of the most endangered monuments in the world by World Monuments Fund in the 2010 World Monuments Watch, along with the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras and Santa Maria Church. All of the sites were taken off the list in 2011 after the passage of the National Cultural Heritage Act.{{Cite news |last=Villalon |first=Augusto F. |date=November 9, 2009 |title=3 Philippine Monuments Land in Global Endangered List |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/philippine-daily-inquirer/20091109/284082022674268 |via=PressReader |access-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-date=July 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712140154/https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/philippine-daily-inquirer/20091109/284082022674268 |url-status=live }}

Architecture

File:Basílica de San Sebastián, Manila, Filipinas, 2023-08-27, DD 19-21 HDR.jpg stained glass window manufactured in Germany by the Heinrich Oidtmann Company]]

San Sebastian Church has two openwork towers and steel vaulting. From its floor, the basilica's nave rises {{convert|12|m|sp=us}} to the dome and {{convert|32|m|sp=us}} to the tip of the twin spires.

The faux finished interior{{Cite web |date=February 3, 2012 |title=San Sebastian Basilica Tagged National Cultural Treasure |url=http://recoletosfilipinas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=285:san-sebastian-tagged-national-cultural-treasure&Itemid=57 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140907061109/http://recoletosfilipinas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=285:san-sebastian-tagged-national-cultural-treasure&Itemid=57 |archive-date=September 7, 2014 |access-date=September 4, 2012 |website=Official Website of the Province of Saint Ezekiel Moreno, Order of Augustinian Recollects }} of the church incorporates groined vaults in the Gothic architecture style permitting very ample illumination from lateral windows. The steel columns, walls and ceiling were painted by Lorenzo Rocha, Isabelo Tampingco and Félix Martínez to give the appearance of marble and jasper. Trompe-l'œil paintings of saints and martyrs by Rocha were used to decorate the interiors of the church. True to the Gothic revival spirit of the church are its confessionals, pulpit, altars and five retablos designed by Lorenzo Guerrero{{Cite book |last=Trota José |first=Regalado |title=Images of Faith: Religious Ivory Carvings from the Philippines |date=1990 |publisher=Pacific Asia Museum |location=Pasadena |page=27 }} and Rocha. The sculptor Eusebio García carved the statues of holy men and women.{{harvp|Layug|2007|pages=88–89 }} Six holy water fonts were constructed for the church, each crafted from marble hewn in Romblon.{{Cite journal |last=Adams |first=George I. |date=1909 |title=The Marble and Schist Formations of Romblon Island |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ku4KjcKDO1YC&q=San+Sebastian+Church+manila |journal=The Philippine Journal of Science |type=Editorial |volume=4A |issue=1 |page=88 |access-date=September 25, 2016 |archive-date=August 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816001322/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ku4KjcKDO1YC&q=San+Sebastian+Church+manila#v=snippet&q=San%20Sebastian%20Church%20manila&f=false |url-status=live }}

Above the main altar is the ivory statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, given to the church by Carmelite sisters from Mexico City in 1617. The image withstood all the earthquakes and fires which had destroyed previous incarnations of San Sebastian Church, but its ivory head was stolen in 1975.

{{Multiple image

| image1 = Sschurch2.jpg

| caption1 = Trompe-l'œil murals of Carmelite saints within the dome's tholobate

| image3 = Basílica de San Sebastián, Manila, Filipinas, 2023-08-27, DD 13-15 HDR.jpg

| caption3 = View of the temporary main altar, with repair scaffolding for the dome behind it

| align = center

| width =

| image2 = San Sebastian Church Ceiling wide.jpg

| caption2 = The ceiling of the church, showing the groin vaults

}}

Cultural and historical declarations

File:San Sebastian Church (Manila) historical marker.jpg historical marker installed in 1934]] File:1976-NHI-Simbahan ng San Sebastian.png historical marker installed in 1976]]

San Sebastian Church was declared a National Historical Landmark by President Ferdinand Marcos through Presidential Decree No. 260 on August 1, 1973. Subsequently, the church was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines on August 15, 2011, with the unveiling of the marker on January 20, 2012.

On May 16, 2006, San Sebastian Church was included by the National Historical Institute (now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines) in the Philippines' Tentative List for possible designation as a World Heritage Site, on account of its architectural and historical heritage. {{As of|2017|post=,|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/state=ph}} the church is no longer included in the Tentative List.

=Troubled UNESCO re-inclusion=

On October 1, 2018, it was revealed that a thirty-one-storey residential high-rise building of Summithome Realty Corporation is being planned to be constructed beside the historic San Sebastian Church, negatively affecting the site's possible re-inclusion in the UNESCO tentative list as the area around the church is integral to the site as a 'buffer zone'. The site, the first and only all-steel church in Asia, used to be in the UNESCO tentative list but was removed in 2015 due to structural decay. To re-establish the site's integrity and re-inclusion in the tentative list, it underwent a massive restoration program, which conservationists have cited as a megalithic success. However, with the looming threat of the high-rise building, the site's inclusion in the UNESCO list is bleak. Summithome was able to acquire a barangay clearance supporting their application for a building permit from the barangay chairman, without the site managers being initially informed.{{Cite web |last=Katigbak-Lacuesta |first=Mookie |date=October 1, 2018 |title='A Godzilla Rising from Hell': The Real Threat a Highrise Brings to San Sebastian |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/10/01/18/saving-san-sebastian |access-date=August 14, 2019 |website=ANCX |archive-date=April 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416031546/https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/10/01/18/saving-san-sebastian |url-status=live }}

Alleged involvement of Gustave Eiffel

It has long been reputed that Gustave Eiffel, the French engineer behind the Eiffel Tower and the steel structure within the Statue of Liberty, was involved in the design and construction of San Sebastián, but this was never confirmed.{{Cite web |last=Severino |first=Howie |date=May 30, 2006 |title=An Eiffel in Quiapo |url=http://gmapinoytv.igma.tv/sidetrip/blog/?/archives/82-an-Eiffel-in-Quiapo.html |url-status=dead |access-date=April 20, 2008 |website=Howie Severino's Sidetrip |publisher=GMA Network |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004121128/http://gmapinoytv.igma.tv/sidetrip/blog/?%2Farchives%2F82-An-Eiffel-in-Quiapo.html }} However, it was confirmed later on that Eiffel was involved in designing and supplying the metal framework for San Ignacio Church in Intramuros, thus confirming the contribution of Eiffel in Philippine church architecture, if not in San Sebastián Church.{{Cite web |last1=Cruz |first1=May Lyn |last2=Torres |first2=Judith |date=April 16, 2018 |title=Escolta Maestros: 6 Filipino Architects Who Shaped the Old CBD |url=http://bluprint.onemega.com/mundo-ni-maestro-escolta/ |access-date=June 9, 2018 |website=BluPrint |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705012532/https://bluprint.onemega.com/mundo-ni-maestro-escolta/ |url-status=live }}

Notes

References

=Citations=

=Works cited=

{{Cite book |last=Layug |first=Benjamin Locsin |title=A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Churches |date=2007 |publisher=New Day Publishers |isbn=978-971-8521-10-6 |location=Pasig, Philippines |pages=87–89}}

External links

{{Commons category-inline}}
{{Facebook|sansebastianbasilicamanila}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927084534/http://www.filipiniana.net:8080/blogsphere/?p=95#more-95 Basilica Menor de San Sebastian]. accessed March 22, 2007.

Category:Hall churches

Category:Roman Catholic churches in Manila

Category:Roman Catholic churches completed in 1891

Category:Buildings and structures in Quiapo, Manila

Category:Cultural Properties of the Philippines in Metro Manila

Category:Basilica churches in the Philippines

Category:National Historical Landmarks of the Philippines

Category:Gothic Revival church buildings in the Philippines

Category:Spanish Colonial architecture in the Philippines

Category:Tourist attractions in Manila

Category:National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines

Category:Marked Historical Structures of the Philippines