St. Catherine's Church

Among the great wonders in Carcar is the 124- year old St. Catherine’s Church. Although it is not the very first church in Carcar, it has kept great wonders over the years.

Carcar, formerly called Sialo, became a parish in 1599 under Fray Gasper de San Augustine. Unfortunately, it was not known who built the edifice, but it must be observed that the Augustinian friars during the first years of the Spanish regime took charge of the parishes from San Nicolas down to Tañon. Hence, St. Catherine’s Church is the second oldest church in the entire province of Cebu.

Since the dawn of Christianity in Cebu, until the year 1898, the orders of St. Augustine handled the church in Carcar. Several Augustinian priests were assigned in the church and in the convent. The church, which was smaller than the present structure took 260 years before the new building was finally constructed.

Fr. Antonio Maglano became the "cura" of the parish of Carcar on October 16, 1858. A year later, he began the construction of the present day church. Several friars left it unfinished; thus, the construction lasted for six years. At that time St. Catherine’s already had three naves. The style was patterned after the "mujedar" in Spain, comprising of two bells With an onion-shaped tip.

Fr. Gabriel Gonzalez succeeded Fr. Maglano on November 17, 1865

Nine years later, Fr. Manuel Rubio Fernandez from Asturias, Spain succeeded Fr. Gonzalez. He was able to finish the construction for two years. Fr. Manuel was an exemplary man. He designed the church with such great finesse, that anyone who entered the church marveled at the authentic style of his craftsmanship. One of his prides is his construction of the masonry and the wood convent, which measured 33 meters in front and 22 meters on the side.

Unfortunately, he was arrested in 1898 and was detained in Sibonga.

St. Catherine’s Church now holds an unprecedented history. Inspired by the Graeco-Roman style, with strong Muslim influence, the church is made of masonry with one main nave and two aisles. The nave measures 68 meters long, 22 meters wide, and 12 meters high. The main entrance has a double arch design inviting attention in the massive rectangular façade. The twin bell towers of solid geometric pylons, act as buttresses but are integrated as part of the façade. The twin bell towers end up at the third level in the minaret shape common to Muslim mosques.