San Sebastian Cathedral, Bacolod

San Sebastian Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral of Bacolod, a city on Negros Island. It stands in the city centre and serves as a landmark for a walk through the older commercial district. Its stone facade faces the street, with two towers framing a large central entrance. Religious images and small statue niches decorate the front. In clear weather, the dark stone stands out against the sky.

The cathedral’s history follows the growth of Bacolod’s Catholic community. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines records that Bishop Mariano Cuartero founded the church and that its cornerstone was laid on April 27, 1876. The building was inaugurated on January 20, 1882. It became a cathedral in 1922, when Bacolod emerged as the centre of the province’s church life. The historical commission installed a marker here in 1952.

The cathedral can be included in a walk through central Bacolod. From outside, look at the masonry, twin towers and decorated entrance. This is an active place of worship, so visitors should avoid walking through the nave or disturbing worshippers during services. Mass times and visitor rules can change; check with the local diocese before going. The surrounding streets offer a glimpse of everyday life in Negros beyond the island’s beach resorts.

Address

Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines

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