Dumaguete Cathedral (St. Catherine of Alexandria) and belfry
On Day 2 of our tour in Dumaguete, we visited the historical St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, built in the 17th century and considered as the largest church in the city. The cathedral is located along Perdices Street in front of the Rizal Park. At the main entrance, a brief history about the church’s construction can be read: “Oldest stone church in Negros / Originally built in 1754-1776 / Reconstructed in 1885 / Extended with present facade in 1936”.
The Cathedral entrance
Cathedral facade
Cathedral interior
A closer view of the altar
The inscription at the main entrance
Within the Cathedral grounds is a memorial in honor of Bishop Frederick Z. Rooker, Bishop of Jaro (1851-1907). Here’s what the inscription read: “H.E. Frederick Z. Rooker, Bishop of the Diocese of Jaro from 1903-1907. He invited the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres to work in Dumaguete, which in 1904, was under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Jaro. On this site stood the first convent and school of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres in the Philippines. This was where they lived and where St. Paul College of Dumaguete operated from 1904-1953. Erected at the launching of the Centennial Year on the 29th day of October in the Year of Our Lord 2003, by the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, Philippines Province.”
Beside the Cathedral is another famous historical landmark, the old belfry built in 1811 known to be the oldest bell tower in the Visayas. Since Dumaguete was often threatened by intruders during that era, the belfry was used as a watchtower to alert and warn the locals about impending attacks. Nowadays it serves to inform the locals about the regular masses being held in the Cathedral. At the base of the bell tower is a grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes where devotees drop by to light candles and pray.
The steps leading to the bell tower
Our Lady of Lourdes grotto
The grotto facing the busy Perdices Street
The old belfry
Up next: Sta. Monica Beach Resort, Dumaguete
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What an amazing church, just the structures would be amazing to see.
i was baptise there at Catherdal Church , how true that if were going to get a Baptismal Certificate it well take 1 month coz the reason is they are on manual type ??? 1 month???
Hello Lotte, sorry no idea about that… better inquire from the cathedral office, or you can request some friends from Dumaguete to inquire for you.
good post, one of the best places in Dumaguete City, but if you want a site that has a lot of information about Dumaguete, try visiting dumagueteneo.com they have the list of all resto and resorts in the place, gyms as well.