Bicol UniversityCollege of Engineering

Department of ArchitectureLegazpi City

Course SubjectHistory & Theory of Architecture

MS StudentArch. Oliver Christopher Z. Landagan, U.A.P.

ProfessorArch.Reynaldo O. Nacional Jr. U.A.P.-MS Arch.

Date SubmittedMarch 24, 2012

“ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF

ST. GREGORY THE GREAT-ALBAY CATHEDRAL”

I. INTRODUCTION

The styles of the great church buildings are successively known as Early

Christian, Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo ,

various Revival styles of the late 18th to early 20th centuries and Modern.

In the sixteenth century, Philippines became a colony of Spain. The

Spaniards introduced their architectural models through adaptation to the

prevailing native conventions at that time. Their influence permeated in military,

religious, domestic, and civil architecture.

As Christianity was brought in, different religious orders built their own

churches and convents. The most lasting legacy of Spain in terms of architecture

was its colonial parish churches designed by innumerable Spanish friars.

One of the oldest Roman Catholic Churches in the Philippines, the St.

Gregory the Great- Albay Cathedral a well known landmark in the Old Albay

District of Legazpi City. It is located nearby Peñaranda Park, Legazpi City Hall

and Provincial Capitol in the province of Albay.

The Cathedral had several places before it was permanent to its present

location. Places from Sawangan early as 1587 (present as Legaspi Port), to

higher ground in Macalaya, to Barrio of Taysan, Tatay, and again back to lower

ground to ermita or chapel at Bagumbayan (barrio closed to the present church)

and finally in 1839 they started to build a new a more permanent and imposing

church in Old Albay now to its present site. The transfers were due to the

constant threat by Moro’s invasions and the devastation of Mt. Mayon Valcano.

In 1839, Albay Cathedral was constructed, the plan were drawn by then

provincial governor and an Architect Don Jose de Peňaranda with the Parish

Priest/Vicar Forane Fr. Jose Yagres. The Church was mostly made of a volcanic

rock of stone, shaping into blocks, Pillars, Mouldings, Cornices, arches and

Monuments. Bell tower was placed at the centre of the front church.

Its facade has a semicircular arched main entrance with portico, flanked

by niches and coupled columns on pedestals supporting the triangular

pediments.

In 2001, during the golden jubilee of the church, a gate with monolithic

pillars and arch was constructed.

TIMELINE OF ALBAY CATHEDRAL – ST. GREGORY THE GREAT:

Early 1587 – Spanish Franciscan missionaries had established a

mission chapel in Sawangan (now Legazpi Port)

Sometimes later 1616 – Constructed the first church dedicated it to St.

Gregory the Great

1636 – Built a bigger and more imposing church (same location –

Legazpi Port)

1696 – turned it over to native clergy

February 16, 1814 – lava completely destroyed the church due to

eruption of Mayon volcano.

Transferred to higher ground – Macalaya, then to Barrio of Taysan and

finally to Tatay.

Parishioners helped build an “ermita” or chapel at Bagumbayan, a

barrio closed to the present church.

1839 – started building a new more permanent and imposing church

on what is now its present site (the plan were drawn by then provincial

governor, Don Jose de Penaranda who was an architect and Fr. Jose

Yagres, Its parish Priest and Vicar Forane that time.

II. OBJECTIVES

1. To understand the Architectural Style of the Church.

2. To recognize within the Province Albay the similarity of the Church

facade.

3. To identify the historical features within the church

III. METHODOLOGY

The study focused on the existing Architectural Style for the exterior and

Interior of the Albay Cathedral - St.Gregory the Great. Every spot was analyzed

for the study of design period for instances like walls, Buttresses, Arches &

openings, Column, Vault and Cornices.

Researcher sought for the existing old documents and pictures if any and

had an interview with the person who has the knowledge of the structure that

could help to describe the history of the Albay Cathedral.

Other Churches within the Province of Albay were seen if they have some

similarities.

IV. LITERATURE REVIEW

Every church has its unique style of architecture, where most of the Oldest

Churches are influenced by Spanish Era. Listed below are known for

Architectural Style for Great Church:

1. Early Christian Architecture Style (4th to 6th century) - Large

Early Christian churches generally took the form of aisled basilicas with an apse.

Example: Basilica of Santa Sabina Rome.

2. Byzantine Architecture Style (6th to 10th century) - the uniquely-

structured centrally-planned and domed. It is surrounded by eight apsidal semi-

domes like the petals of a flower . Example: Hagia Sophia istambul

3. Romanesque Architecture Style (10th to 12th century) - is an

architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches . It is

known by its massive quality, thick walls, round arches, sturdy piers , groin vaults,

large towers and decorative arcading. Romanesque buttresses are generally of

flat square profile and do not project a great deal beyond the wall. Example:

Pisa Cathedral, Italy,

4. Gothic Architecture Style (12th to 15th century) - The style

evolved to one that was less heavy, had larger windows, lighter-weight vaulting

supported on stone ribs and above all, Its characteristic features include the

pointed arch, the ribbed vault and the flying buttress.. Example: Notre Dame,

Paris

5. Renaissance Architecture Style (15th to 16th Century)- the highly

refined style of Roman architecture . It was a time of architectural theorising and

experimentation. They are essays in the Classical, with rows of cylindrical

columns, Corinthian capitals, entablatures, semi-circular arches and apsidal

chapels. The designed a huge dome which is regarded as the first building of the

Renaissance period. Example: St. Peter's Basilica

6. Baroque Architecture Style (16th to 18th Century) - The name

baroque means 'mis-shapen pearl'. The Baroque style was carried by the

Spanish and Portuguese to South and Central America, to the Philippines and to

Goa in India where it was to become the prominent style of building for churches

large and small. Baroque churches often have a proportionally very wide facade

which seems stretched between the towers. . Example: St Paul's Cathedral,

London.

7. Rococo Architecture Style (18th Century) The Rococo style is a

late evolution of Baroque architecture. It is distinguished by the asymmetry found

within its decoration, generally taking the form of ornate sculptured cartouches or

borders. These decorations are loosely based on organic objects, particularly

seashells and plant growth, but also on other natural forms that have an apparent

"organised chaos" such as waves of clouds. Example: Basilica of the

Vierzehnheiligen, Germany

8. Revival Architecture Style (18th to 19th Century)- centuries were a

time of expansion and colonisation by Western Europeans. It was also a time of

much Christian revival. Example: St. Gregory the Great-Albay Cathedral,

Philippines-1839.

During the 18th to early 20th century, the Architectural Style was known

as Revival period. The Revival period was known as adaptation for the various

period of style.

Despite the ravages of earthquakes, volcanoes and war, the church is in

an excellent state of preservation, while many others have been painstakingly

restored by devout parishioners.

V. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The first image shown in the Left side was a picture from the archive of Legazpi City Museum from Benjamin Buitre.

The 2nd image shown was courtesy of Alex Castro Photo Collection - Cathedral de San Gregorio Magno circa 1900s

The 3rd image shown was courtesy From 1905 Photographs by H.F. Woods of Taft Expedition to Japan, (most probably Peñaranda Park with Albay Cathedral in background)

The 4rt image shown was courtesy from Mrs. Patricia cornello of social action office.