Baguio Cathedral
Encyclopedia
Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral, better known as Baguio Cathedral, is a Catholic
cathedral
located at Cathedral Loop, adjacent to Session Road
in Baguio City
in the Philippines
. It is distinct for its rose-colored exterior, twin spires and traditional stained glass windows make it famous and is one of the most photographed iconic buildings in Baguio City. It served as an evacuation center during the Japanese occupation
of the Philippines during World War II
.
people. In 1907, a Catholic mission was established by Belgian
missionaries
from the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae, who named the site Mount Mary.
Construction on the cathedral itself was begun in 1920, under the leadership of the then-parish priest, Fr. Florimono Carlu. The building was completed by 1936, and consecrated that year, dedicated to Our Lady of Atonement
.
During World War II, the cathedral served as an evacuation center. It withstood the carpet-bombing of Baguio City in 1945. The remains of thousands of bombing victims during the war are interred within the grounds of the cathedral.
and twin square bell towers with pyramidal roofs. Within its large courtyard is a view deck that overlooks Session Road and the downtown commercial district of Baguio City. The cathedral is accessible to pedestrians from Session Road through a 100-step stone staircase, or through the adjacent campus of Saint Louis University
.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
located at Cathedral Loop, adjacent to Session Road
Session Road
Session Road is the main thoroughfare of Baguio City and is the main hub of what is called the Baguio Central Business District. Located at the city center, it is actually divided into two parts:...
in Baguio City
Baguio City
The City of Baguio is a highly urbanized city in northern Luzon in the Philippines. Baguio City was established by Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. It is distinct for its rose-colored exterior, twin spires and traditional stained glass windows make it famous and is one of the most photographed iconic buildings in Baguio City. It served as an evacuation center during the Japanese occupation
Second Philippine Republic
The Second Philippine Republic, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , was a state in the Philippines established on October 14, 1943 under Japanese occupation....
of the Philippines during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
History
The site where the cathedral currently stands was a hill referred to as "Kampo" by the IbaloiIbaloi
The Ibaloi or Nabaloi is an indigenous ethnic group found in the northern Philippines. The Ibaloi are one of the indigenous peoples collectively known as Igorot, who live in the mountains of the Cordillera Central on the island of Luzon...
people. In 1907, a Catholic mission was established by Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
from the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae, who named the site Mount Mary.
Construction on the cathedral itself was begun in 1920, under the leadership of the then-parish priest, Fr. Florimono Carlu. The building was completed by 1936, and consecrated that year, dedicated to Our Lady of Atonement
Titles of Mary
Mary is known by many titles , epithets , invocations and other names ....
.
During World War II, the cathedral served as an evacuation center. It withstood the carpet-bombing of Baguio City in 1945. The remains of thousands of bombing victims during the war are interred within the grounds of the cathedral.
Features
The cathedral has a distinct pink facade with a rose windowRose window
A Rose window is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window, but is especially used for those found in churches of the Gothic architectural style and being divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery...
and twin square bell towers with pyramidal roofs. Within its large courtyard is a view deck that overlooks Session Road and the downtown commercial district of Baguio City. The cathedral is accessible to pedestrians from Session Road through a 100-step stone staircase, or through the adjacent campus of Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University, Baguio City
Saint Louis University is a private educational institution in Baguio City, approximately two hundred fifty kilometers north of Manila. The school was established in 1911 by the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae missionaries, to further Christianize the northern Philippines...
.