Marvel at the only all-steel church in the Philippines the magnificent San Sebastian Church. Its metal frame defies expectations.
San Sebastian Church stands as a testament to architectural innovation and enduring faith. It is a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church. San Sebastian Church falls under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Manila. The church’s unique construction and striking design make it a must-see landmark.
Let’s journey back to the origins of San Sebastian Church. In 1621 Bernardino Castillo donated the land where San Sebastian Church stands. He was a devotee of Saint Sebastian. The original church was made of wood. Sadly it burned down in 1651 during a Chinese Filipino uprising. Undeterred, they rebuilt it with brick.
Disaster struck again with earthquakes in 1859, 1863, and 1880. Each time San Sebastian Church was damaged. Father Esteban Martínez sought a permanent solution in the 1880s. He enlisted Spanish architect Genaro Palacios. Palacios proposed an earthquake-resistant steel structure. His design fused Neo-Gothic with Earthquake Baroque styles. The Burgos Cathedral in Spain inspired him.
The steel sections of San Sebastian Church were manufactured in Binche, Belgium. The Societe anonyme des Enterprises de Travaux Publiques in Brussels made them. Over 50 metric tons of steel were shipped in eight shipments. The first arrived in 1888. Belgian engineers supervised the assembly. The first column was erected on September 11, 1890. Mixed sand gravel and cement filled the walls.
The stained glass windows of San Sebastian Church came from the Heinrich Oidtmann Company in Germany. Local artisans applied the finishing touches. Pope Leo XIII elevated San Sebastian Church to a minor basilica on June 24 1890. Bernardino Nozaleda y Villa consecrated the completed Basilica Menor de San Sebastián on August 16 1891.
Legend says a prefabricated retablo altar was lost at sea. It was being shipped from Belgium. A wooden altar was made locally instead. Also the bottom part of San Sebastian Church was designed to resemble a ship’s hull. This would allow it to sway during earthquakes.
San Sebastian Church has faced challenges in recent years. Rust and corrosion threatened its steel structure. Sea breezes from Manila Bay were the cause. The National Historical Institute funded restoration in 1982. The Recollect community also contributed funds. The World Monuments Fund placed it on its watchlist in 1998 and again in 2010.
San Sebastian Church boasts two openwork towers and steel vaulting. The nave rises 12 meters to the dome. It rises 32 meters to the tip of the twin spires. The faux-finished interior features Gothic-style groined vaults. These allow ample light from lateral windows. Lorenzo Rocha Isabelo Tampingco and Félix Martínez painted the steel columns walls and ceiling. They mimicked marble and jasper. Rocha’s trompe-l’œil paintings decorate the interior.
Lorenzo Guerrero and Rocha designed the confessionals pulpit altars and five retablos. Eusebio García sculpted the statues. The six holy water fonts are made from Romblon marble. The ivory statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel sits above the main altar. Carmelite sisters from Mexico City gifted it in 1617.
President Ferdinand Marcos declared San Sebastian Church a National Historical Landmark in 1973. The National Museum declared it a National Cultural Treasure in 2011.
Despite rumors Gustave Eiffel was never confirmed to be involved in the design or construction of San Sebastian Church.
San Sebastian Church stands as a symbol of resilience artistic collaboration and unwavering faith. Its steel structure and stunning interior leave a lasting impression. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty and historical significance.