Bicol University College of Engineering Department of Architecture Legazpi City

Course Subject History & Theory of Architecture MS Student Arch. Oliver Christopher Z. Landagan, U.A.P. Professor Arch.Reynaldo O. Nacional Jr. U.A.P.-MS Arch. Date Submitted March 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 Pearanda 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 Moros 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 Pearanda 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. Byzantine Architecture Style (6th to 10th century) - the uniquely-

2.

structured centrally-planned and domed. It is surrounded by eight apsidal semidomes like the petals of a flower. Example: Hagia Sophia istambul Romanesque Architecture Style (10th to 12th century) - is an

3.

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. Pisa Cathedral, Italy,

Example:

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

5.

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

6.

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

7.

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 Pearanda Park with Albay Cathedral in background)

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