St. Philomene Church is a red brick church which dates back to the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. Located along the Maharlika Highway in Alcala, Cagayan, it is the largest brick church in the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao at 67 m in length, 24 m in width, and 12.5 m in height. It is also the widest church in the Philippines.
Description
The vast red brick church stands out from the surrounding green landscape. The façade of the church is plain brick, with little ornamentation other than its columns, niches, and windows. There are just 2 angels on each side and one above. A small bell tower stands between the church and a nearby school. Inside, due to its great width, the church has 4 rows of pews. Lately the interior has been extensively renovated, with modern additions like a tiled floor and a new altar. A galvanized iron roof has also been installed outside, but the original features of the façade have for the most part been preserved.
The vast red brick church stands out from the surrounding green landscape. The façade of the church is plain brick, with little ornamentation other than its columns, niches, and windows. There are just 2 angels on each side and one above. A small bell tower stands between the church and a nearby school. Inside, due to its great width, the church has 4 rows of pews. Lately the interior has been extensively renovated, with modern additions like a tiled floor and a new altar. A galvanized iron roof has also been installed outside, but the original features of the façade have for the most part been preserved.
History
The church is located in Alcala, which grew from a settlement called Fulay (an Ibanag word meaning “red” which refers to its soil). The settlement was given the status of a town in 1789 and was placed under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Nueva Segovia. Its name was changed to Alcala in 1843. It is now part of the Archdiocese of Tugugarao, which is just 38 km south of the town.
Construction of St. Philomene Church was begun in 1881 by Fr. Casamiro Gonzalez. It was completed later by Fr. Pedro Perez.
It was at St. Philomene Church that Bishop Gregorio Aglipay, prior to his separation from the Catholic Church and establishment of the Philippine Independent Church, was declared Ecclesiastical Governor of Cagayan. In 1898, during the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish, the church served as a sanctuary for revolutionary leader Daniel Tirona.
The church is located in Alcala, which grew from a settlement called Fulay (an Ibanag word meaning “red” which refers to its soil). The settlement was given the status of a town in 1789 and was placed under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Nueva Segovia. Its name was changed to Alcala in 1843. It is now part of the Archdiocese of Tugugarao, which is just 38 km south of the town.
Construction of St. Philomene Church was begun in 1881 by Fr. Casamiro Gonzalez. It was completed later by Fr. Pedro Perez.
It was at St. Philomene Church that Bishop Gregorio Aglipay, prior to his separation from the Catholic Church and establishment of the Philippine Independent Church, was declared Ecclesiastical Governor of Cagayan. In 1898, during the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish, the church served as a sanctuary for revolutionary leader Daniel Tirona.
